PLAYER NOTES
–C JC Tretter (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. He has been battling a high ankle sprain since Oct. 14 and rests on Wednesdays, but he plays every Sunday.
–OL Austin Corbett (foot) did not practice. He works as a backup guard and center.
–OL Earl Watford practiced at center Wednesday. He would start if JC Tretter and Austin Corbett are out Sunday.
–TE David Njoku (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR Antonio Callaway has been a relevant target for quarterback Baker Mayfield since Freddie Kitchens was promoted to offensive coordinator three games ago. He has nine catches over his last three games. He will be able to stretch the field against the Texans on Sunday.
GAME PLAN: Quarterback Baker Mayfield completed passes to eight different players in the 35-20 victory over Cincinnati. He might not have as many targets to choose from in Houston. Protecting Mayfield is a priority, which might mean keeping an extra blocker in to fend off J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. The Browns are willing to slow their attack if it helps keep their quarterback vertical. Watt has 11.5 sacks.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Browns CB Denzel Ward vs. Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins. Ward usually draws the opponent’s best receiver. That is clearly Hopkins. He has 73 catches for 1,024 yards and eight touchdowns. Ward can’t let up a second because Hopkins is capable of making circus chances any time the ball is near him.
–Browns RB Nick Chubb vs. OLB Whitney Mercilus. Chubb gets most of his yardage running outside. Mercilus is an excellent tackler. The Browns must run the ball successfully to extend their two-game winning streak. The Chubb-Mercilus matchup will go far to determine how that unfolds.
