Stanton may be Browns’ No. 2 QB on Sunday
Tyrod Taylor listed as questionable as he deals with back injury.
The big brother could BEREA — be the backup to the little brother Sunday when the Browns visit the Oakland Raiders.
Third-string quarterback Drew Stanton might be forced to serve as the Browns’ No. 2 quarterback behind rookie Baker Mayfield if Tyrod Taylor’s back doesn’t cooperate, coach Hue Jackson said Thursday after practice.
Although Taylor was cleared from concussion protocol Thursday and returned to practice on a limited basis, he’s also dealing with a back injury.
“We will see where it is,” Jackson said. “I think that we’ll know more tomorrow.
“He didn’t do a lot [at practice]. So I’ll make sure that if we do put him out there, that he’s ready to go.”
Taylor declined to be interviewed but said he’s feeling good. He was listed as questionable on the Browns’ injury report Friday.
Stanton’s career record as an NFL starter is 11-6, but the Browns signed him in the offseason primarily to mentor Mayfield.
“It has been like big brother, little brother,” Jackson said. “Obviously, Baker had to be open to that, and I think he was. Drew on the other side of it had to be willing to do it, too. He has taken Baker under his wing.”
Stanton, though, said he’ll have no trouble switching gears and playing if necessary.
“That’s the biggest thing I’ve been trying to show Baker: [the key to] being the backup is that your routine doesn’t change,” Stanton said. “You stick with your routine. I’ve had the same regimen for seven, eight years now and feel comfortable with it. If they ask me to be the backup or they ask me to play, I’m cool with all that.”
Taylor suffered his third documented concussion in 13 months last week against the New York Jets on “Thursday Night Football.” He left the game for good after being sacked by linebacker Avery Williamson with 2:55 remaining in the first half. He went 4-of-14 passing (28.6 percent) for just 19 yards with a rating of 39.6, rushed four times for 22 yards and took three sacks before Mayfield relieved
him and led the Browns to a 21-17 comeback win. Jackson named Mayfield the starter Monday.
Browns offensive coordinator Todd Haley said mental errors early in the game contributed to Taylor being hit, through no fault of his own, on the first five plays. Haley said those first five plays were “100 percent” to blame for Taylor’s performance.
“I just want everybody to know I think Tyrod has done nothing but a tremendous job and put us in position to win the first two games,” Haley said.
Nelson a Dorsey ‘hit’
A Green Bay Packers scout- ing find from the John Dorsey days is still playing, but now in Oakland.
Jordy Nelson, a No. 36 overall pick by the Packers in 2008 when the Browns general manager was the Packers’ college scouting director, made two catches exceeding 60 yards and put up 173 yards overall for the Raiders last Sunday at Miami. He presents a problem for the Browns this Sunday.
Nelson, 33, was released by the Packers and signed by the Raiders on a two-year contract calling for $13 million guaranteed.
“Jordy is one of my favorite teammates that I ever had,” said Browns center JC Tretter, who was on the Packers offense with Nelson from 2013-16. “Every- body respected the way he worked, the way he led.
“He didn’t get enough credit for how fast he is. And he was able to catch everything. I remember him in practice ... those back-shoulder, toe-touch catches on the sidelines.”
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was “stunned” when the Packers released Nelson after a down year in 2016.
“You hear he can’t run anymore. That’s false,” Carr said. “He’s one of the fastest skill guys we have. If he can win on underneath routes, that means DBs are scared about what he can do over the top. He’s still Jordy Nelson.”
Nelson is one of 10 active receivers with more than 8,000 career receiving yards. He is the only active wide receiver with at least 13 TD receptions in three different seasons.
Nelson became a big factor in quarterback Aaron Rodg- ers’ rise to stardom. Dorsey and the Packers got involved in a run on receivers in the second round in 2008. Donnie Avery and Devin Thomas, drafted at No. 33 and No. 34, combined for 3,343 receiving yards in careers that ended years ago. Nelson, taken at No. 36, racked up 4,090 yards from 2013-16 alone.
Limas Sweed went to the Pittsburgh Steelers later in Round 2 and left the league with seven career receptions.
The Browns are sorting out how to deal with a Raiders passing game that has produced three 100-yard receivers in three games. Tight end Jared Cook had 180 yards in the opener against the Los Angeles Rams and wide receiver Amari Cooper had a 116-yard game at Denver.