Get to know the players stepping up for the Browns against the Raiders
By Chad Porto
![Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) walks off the field following an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 6](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F6f9991fad1fd74e5488d921cf01e3c77973977e41c0bb2b1dd79aeb099d4c916.jpg "Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) walks off the field following an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns 6")
![Browns linebacker Mack Wilson drops back into coverage during practice on Friday, August 6, 2021 in Berea, Ohio, at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]Browns 8 7 4](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fb5bbd27c9e8ef4b32d7d6c0b5f63089a985ac410af4e3df0d3085104be212ef9.jpg "Browns linebacker Mack Wilson drops back into coverage during practice on Friday, August 6, 2021 in Berea, Ohio, at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]Browns 8 7 4")
Front Seven
Out: Takk McKinley, Malik McDowell, Anthony Walker Jr., Ifeadi Odenigbo, Jacob Phillips, Mack Wilson, Tony Fields
In: Sheldon Day, Tommy Togiai, Elijah Lee, Malcolm Smith
Likely: Porter Gustin
The Browns could have six starters on defense, with Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney, Sione Takitaki, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Malik Jackson, and Denzel Ward currently cleared to play. Yet, some are iffy due to injuries. Factor in injuries and COVID, the team could be down even more players come Saturday.
Made worse is the fact that just about every backup the front seven has is out. Yeah, the Browns are only missing Malik McDowell and Anthony Walker, their depth was a big key. In just their linebacking corp alone, they’ll be without Jacob Phillips, who just made his season debut against the Ravens, Mack Wilson, and rookie Tony Fields.
That means that Takitaki, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and top backup Malcolm Smith will likely be the starting three, and Elijah Lee will serve as the team’s fourth.
As of now, Jackson, Garrett, and Clowney are healthy; so it’s likely that Sheldon Day and Tommy Togiai will get a lot of reps but the team has no backup defensive ends; so expect Porter Gustin to get the call-up.
Update: Jadeveon Clowney is out now too.