CLEVELAND
Storyline of the week
Staying healthy: Browns coach Kevin Stefanski’s decision to play QB Baker Mayfield, four-fifths of the starting offensive line and some other first-string players in the preseason finale against the Falcons did not backfire with one of them suffering a serious injury. After sitting out the first two preseason games along with the majority of the starters, Mayfield quarterbacked two series and went 6 of 10 passing for 113 yards and a touchdown in Atlanta. He had a passer rating of 132.5.
Rookie watch
Fifth-round pick and safety Richard LeCounte III has given the Browns a glimpse of the upside that made him a key starter for the Georgia Bulldogs. While LeCounte’s performances have come in preseason games against second- and third-stringers, he may be needed in Cleveland as Grant Delpit struggles to return from an Achilles tendon injury that cost him all of the 2020 season. LeCounte graded out well for Pro Football Focus in the preseason. – Nate Ulrich and Jared Mueller,
USA TODAY Network