PLAYER NOTES
–CB Denzel Ward (concussion) did not practice Wednesday. The injury prevented him from playing against the Panthers last week.
–C JC Tretter (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, but the Browns are hopeful he will play against the Broncos.
–FB Orson Charles (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. He was injured playing against the Panthers.
–DT Larry Ogunjobi (biceps) returned to practice Wednesday.
–OL Austin Corbett (foot) did not practice Wednesday. He was inactive the last two games with the injury.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: C JC Tretter has been playing on a sprained ankle since mid-October. The injury was aggravated in the 26-20 victory over the Panthers last Sunday and he continued to play. The stress will be on him to continue playing at a high level with the Browns playing on Saturday night instead of Sunday, giving Tretter one less day to rest.
GAME PLAN: The game between the Browns and Panthers is a match of Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates: quarterback Baker Mayfield of the Browns and running back Phillip Lindsay of the Broncos. Protecting Mayfield with an extra blocker to fend off Von Miller and Bradley Chubb will be important. Clamping down on Lindsay, who with 967 rushing yards is likely to go over 1,000 yards before a national television audience Saturday night, could help sway voters to Mayfield’s camp. Linebacker Joe Schobert will help slow Lindsay’s march.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
–Browns DE Myles Garrett vs. Broncos LT Garett Bolles. Garrett is going to be pumped to outplay Broncos pass-rushing linebacker Von Miller. Miller leads the AFC with 13.5 sacks. Garrett is one sack behind. Garrett is in excellent shape this deep into the season, so the thin Denver air should not take a big toll on him.
