PLAYER NOTES
–RB Dontrell Hilliard was elevated to the Browns 53-man roster from the practice squad on Monday.
–DB Jeremiah McKinnon was waived to create a roster spot for RB Dontrell Hilliard. McKinnon, elevated from the practice squad last week, was used as the gunner on punt coverage against the Ravens. Hilliard will likely take McKinnon’s spot in that role.
–WR Rashard Higgins (knee) did not practice Wednesday. He was injured in the game with the Ravens last week. His status is week-to-week.
–LB James Burgess (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday. He has been bothered by a sore knee most of the season.
–TE Seth DeValve (hamstring) was limited in practice Wednesday.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR Derrick Willies did not have a catch in the first four games, but he came off the bench last week when Rashard Higgins was sidelined with a MCL sprain and caught three passes. The injury will keep Higgins out of the game with the Chargers. That means Willies will get plenty of action Sunday. Rookie Antonio Callaway has had too many dropped passes to be considered reliable. Willies could take some heat off No. 1 receiver Jarvis Landry.
GAME PLAN: It is easier said than done, but defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will try to disguise coverages he wants to use against Chargers quarterback Philp Rivers. Rivers is in his 15th season. There isn’t a defense he hasn’t seen. The only way disguising what defense the Browns are playing can work is to wait until the last split second to show their hand.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Browns LB Christian Kirksey vs. Chargers RB Melvin Gordon. Gordon is a dual threat for the Chargers. He leads his team with 334 yards and three rushing touchdowns plus he is second in receptions with 28 tackles and three more touchdowns. Kirksey excels in pass coverage, so this should be a good matchup for four quarters.
–Browns P Britton Colquitt vs. Chargers PR Desmond King. Special teams have been the weak link for the Browns this season. King is averaging 14.63 yards on eight returns. Colquitt might try to kick the ball high and sacrifice distance to force King to signal for a fair catch, but King has only one fair catch in the first five games.
