FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
CLEVELAND BROWNS
–OUT: LB James Burgess (knee)
–QUESTIONABLE: TE Seth DeValve (hamstring), S Damarious Randall (heel), QB Tyrod Taylor (concussion, back)
OAKLAND RAIDERS
–OUT: S Karl Joseph (hamstring)
–QUESTIONABLE: DT P.J. Hall (ankle), CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (hamstring)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: K Greg Joseph passed his first test after replacing Zane Gonzalez as the Browns’ kicker. He was 2-for-2 on field goals, hitting from 45 and 27 yards, and he made the only extra point he attempted in the 21-17 win over the Jets. But that happened in Cleveland in FirstEnergy Stadium. How will he respond if a pressure situation arises in Oakland?
“He made plays,” head coach Hue Jackson said. “The ball went through the uprights. I tell him, ‘That’s what you’re here for. As long as it goes through the uprights, you can stay. If it doesn’t, you might have to go.’ That’s just how it works.”
Gonzalez was dismissed after a field goal was blocked in the opener against the Steelers and he missed two field goal tries and two extra points in the second half of Game Two in New Orleans.
GAME PLAN: The Jets were caught off guard when Baker Mayfield took over at quarterback late in the first half last Thursday. The Raiders will be prepared for Mayfield’s quick delivery. If the Raiders try dropping an extra defender into coverage, they might get a heavy dose of running back Carlos Hyde. Sometimes it takes Hyde a while to get going, but he is difficult to take down once he finds a rhythm.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Browns LB Jamie Collins vs. Raiders LB Marshawn Lynch. Lynch has rushed 48 times for 170 yards and three touchdowns in the first three games. His longest run is 11 yards. The Browns want to nail him at the line of scrimmage before he can get into that Beast Mode. Collins is quick enough to make that happen.
–Browns WR Jarvis Landry vs. Raiders CB Rashaan Melvin. Landry already has 20 catches for 278 yards. He is still looking for his first touchdown with the Browns. Landry is the first player quarterback Baker Mayfield will look toward in a pinch.
