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Injuries piling up as Browns look to Giants
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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin carries the ball during the first half of a game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore on Thursday.
Associated Press
BEREA
Browns receivers have gone from dropping passes to dropping off the practice list.
Key receivers Josh Cribbs, Mohamed Massaquoi and Travis Benjamin were among six players missing practice on Monday. Safety T.J. Ward also was absent after having surgery on his right thumb.
That’s not exactly how Cleveland (0-4) wants to prepare for its upcoming road game against the Super Bowl champion Giants.
“We’ll put the guys on the field that can play, make the roster as good as we can make it,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “If we have to use three tight ends, all right.”
Tight end Alex Smith also did not practice. He was inactive with a concussion Thursday during a 23-16 loss in Baltimore, when Cribbs sustained a concussion. It was a scary scene as Cribbs lay motionless on the field for several moments after his helmet flew off and he hit the turf with the back of his head.
“It’s the nature of the business,” quarterback Brandon Weeden said. “We’re hoping for good news on Mo, Josh and Travis. If not, the other guys will have to step up.”
Massaquoi also was inactive with a strained hamstring. Rookie Benjamin replaced him at wide receiver and filled in for Cribbs on special teams. Shurmur refused to disclose what kept Benjamin from practicing, though the fourth-round pick had his right knee wrapped on Friday.
Ward’s surgery was similar to what safety Ray “Bubba” Ventrone had after he broke his hand Sept. 9 in the season opener. Ventrone came back two weeks later.
“Same procedure Bubba had, and he’s back,” Shurmur said.
The only receivers practicing while the media were allowed to watch were Greg Little, Jordan Norwood, Josh Gordon and rookie Josh Cooper, who is on the practice squad. Little and Norwood had costly drops in Baltimore, but Weeden would not blame them.
“I’m happy with our receivers,” said the rookie, who went 25 for 52 for 320 yards against the Ravens. “They battle. They work hard. They don’t complain. I think we’ve all got to get better. There’s not another group I’d want to work through it with.”
Norwood had four catches for 56 yards in Baltimore. He felt he should have done more.
“Any ball thrown to me I feel I should catch,” he said. “I’m happy with my effort, the entire team’s effort, but I should catch anything I get my hands on.”
The best solution to moving the football against the Giants (2-2) may be to hand it to running back Trent Richardson.