The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Gaines in concussion protocol
Browns are also without starting middle linebacker Schobert in Tampa; safety Randall has been playing with a painful heel injury
“Next man up” should be a nameplate over a half dozen dressing stalls in the Browns’ locker room.
The latest to go on the injury list is starting right cornerback E.J. Gaines. Gaines, who was starting for injured Terrance Mitchell (broken wrist), was placed in concussion protocol on Oct. 18. No one is certain when Gaines was injured, but it is certain he won’t play against the Buccaneers in Tampa on Oct. 21.
T.J. Carrie will have to start against the Buccaneers, who have 16 touchdown catches through five games. The Bucs have lost three straight, but scoring has not been an issue even in defeat. Sandwiched around a 48-10 loss to the Bears, the Buccaneers were beaten, 30-27, by the Pittsburgh Steelers and 34-29 by the Atlanta Falcons last week.
“Gaines did not hurt himself at practice,” Coach Hue Jackson said on Oct 18. “Gaines came in and had symptoms. It has nothing to do with practice. Practice was yesterday. This happened today. I just think it was something that had been lingering.
“Maybe he didn’t say much. When they put them into the protocol once they check them, that’s how it is. Next man up. Here we go.”
Briean Boddy-Calhoun will replace Carrie as the nickel back. Boddy-Calhoun will likely be on the field most of the day, because the Bucs often use wide receivers Mike Evans (33 catches/484 yards/ three touchdowns), DeSean Jackson (21/501/three) and Chris Godwin 2½49/four) in three-receiver sets.
“Unfortunately, we had a couple of things go wrong in practice,” Carrie said, unaware about what Jackson said concerning Gaines’ injury. “So much in this league so many things could happen, you have to prepare
yourself as a starter. It will be a little bit of an adjustment, but we’ll make it work.”
The Buccaneers are sure to put a strain on the players, but the defensive backs are not the only ones feeling the pressure.
“It stresses the coaches, too – the guys, coaches, everybody,” Jackson said. “They’re good. Make no doubt about it. They’re all making plays. They’ve all scored touchdowns. Then you throw the tight ends in there, too. They have some weapons. Guys that can score the ball. It is a big challenge for us. We have to go play well.”
The Browns (2-3-1) are trying to keep the season from skidding out of control. After the Buccaneers they play
the Steelers in Pittsburgh Oct. 28 and then host Kansas City and Atlanta before their Nov. 18 bye.
The Browns will also be without starting middle linebacker Joe Schobert (hamstring) in Tampa. Safety Damarious Randall has been playing with a painful heel injury.
“This is a very talented offense,” Randall said. “Many people haven’t been able to stop them offensively this year, and the times that they were stopped, it seemed like the offense was stopping themselves. It’s a very talented group. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Buccaneers’ quarterback Jameis Winston has thrown
five touchdown passes and four interceptions since regaining his starting job in the second half of the loss to the Bears. Winston was suspended the first three games for violating the NGFL’s personal conduct policy.
Normally Schobert would cover tight end O.J. Howard (15/284/two), but that duty will now likely fall to Schobert’s replacement, Christian Kirksey.
The offense isn’t immune to the injury bug. Center JC Tretter on Oct. 18 missed his second straight practice because of an ankle injury. Rookie Austin Corbett will start if Tretter cannot play. Jackson is holding out hope Tretter might practice Oct. 19.