Redskins vs. Browns: Previewing Cleveland's Preseason Week 1 Matchup

The pros could play in shorts with flags hanging at their waists, and fans would still flock to Thursday night’s Week 1 preseason matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins.

These two football organizations are intertwined into the very fabric of their communities. To the fans, football is football, and it’s not going to matter that half the game will be played by players who likely won't ever appear on a football field again.

This particular matchup is the 13th all-time preseason meeting between the two storied franchises. Washington holds a 9-3 edge over Cleveland—winning four straight—but the Browns have fared much better when it counts with a significant 33-11-1 standing in the series.

Interestingly, the Redskins have won five preseason openers in a row and defeated the Browns last year in their second preseason matchup. That was the game with Johnny Manziel's now-infamous middle-finger flash to the Washington bench.

We’ll see how the supposedly reformed and new-look Manziel handles things this year.

Location: FirstEnergy Stadium; Cleveland

Time: 8 p.m. ET

TV: ABC/WEWS (CLE) & NBC/CSN (WAS)

Injuries

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

If it seems like your favorite team has an inordinate amount of injuries, take a look at another injury report and take some comfort. The Cleveland Browns have had their share, but it's an inevitable part of the game, one that is magnified when there are 90 players on a training-camp roster.

Here's where both teams stand in the injury department, plus a Thursday night outlook for some of the biggest banged-up names.

Browns' injuries (via ClevelandBrowns.com, as of Aug. 11)

• WR Dwayne Bowe (hamstring)
• DB Pierre Desir (hamstring)
• RB Shaun Draughn (hand)
• RB Duke Johnson Jr. (hamstring)
• Joe Madsen (concussion)
• RB Luke Lundy (concussion)
• OL Andrew McDonald (concussion)
• LB Barkevious Mingo (knee)
• DB Robert Nelson Jr. (hamstring)
• WR Terrelle Pryor (hamstring)
• DB De’Ante Saunders (calf)
• TE Randall Telfer (foot)
• DB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (knee)
• DL Billy Winn (knee/ankle)
• RB Glenn Winston (knee)

Every Browns running back not named Isaiah Crowell has been on the early preseason injury report. But that changed this week when Terrance West and Malcolm Johnson returned to practice. Rookie back Duke Johnson remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, and backup Glenn Winston is still recovering from a minor knee procedure that has kept him out of training camp to date.

Joe Thomas hasn’t missed even one snap during his eight-year career, but the weight of Danny Shelton’s 339 pounds rolling on his leg created cause for concern on Aug. 10. Thomas spoke with trainers after the incident and was able to walk to the locker room under his own power.

The perennial Pro Bowler will not undergo an MRI for the injury, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. While Thomas will likely be fine to play on Thursday, don't expect to see too much of him. The team knows where he'll be by opening day, so expect Cleveland to continue to give him rest while evaluating others in his place.

Size is something of a concern for the Browns’ wide receivers group, and the continued absence of Dwayne Bowe and Terrelle Pryor isn’t helping things. Both wideouts tweaked hamstrings early in training camp and have become charter members of the growing sideline bike club. And both were not in pads during practice this week, per Ulrich.

Pryor is still fighting for a roster spot, so any missed game time is a missed opportunity for the former quarterback. Bowe’s absence could hurt his chemistry with likely starter Josh McCown, but he shouldn’t be in any roster danger after signing a deal with over $9 million guaranteed.

According to Ulrich, head coach Mike Pettine also ruled out Pryor, Bowe and Johnson for Thursday night.

Redskins' injuries (via Redskins.com, as of Aug. 11)

• TE Logan Paulsen (foot)
• OL Brandon Scherff (ankle)
• WR DeSean Jackson (shoulder)
• TE Niles Paul (shoulder)
• TE Jordan Reed (hamstring)
• DB David Amerson (shoulder)
• DB Jeron Johnson (hamstring)
• DB Bashaud Breeland (knee)
• LB Junior Galette (pectoral)
• WR Jamison Crowder (hamstring)
• RB Matt Jones (knee)
• LB Will Compton (groin)
• LB Keenan Robinson (head)

Veteran defensive backs Chris Culliver and DeAngelo Hall returned to practice Monday, but both were waiting for playing time behind backups Justin Rogers and Deshazor Everett, according to Redskins.com. Both Culliver and Hall went back to the first team Tuesday and will likely get first-team reps Thursday night and play as long as the starters are in the game. But don't be surprised to see their workload monitored as they progress toward getting back to 100 percent.

Rookie offensive lineman Brandon Scherff rolled his ankle during Monday’s practice, but it wasn't believed to be a concern by many reporters in Washington, D.C. Mike Jones of the Washington Post let us know how the team’s current starting right guard was feeling after the tweak: "Scherff said he just rolled his right ankle and said "I'm fine. I'm fine." He did some post-practice drills."

Scherff returned to practice Tuesday and will almost surely see some action Thursday night.

Speedster receiver DeSean Jackson sprained his shoulder during a joint practice with the Houston Texans last Thursday. According to NFL Network’s Rand Getlin, he'll likely “a few weeks” while healing, so the Browns won't get a look at that type of player right out of the gate. Standout Browns cornerback Joe Haden has struggled with players with Jackson-like speed in the past.

Key Matchups

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Much of the matchups Thursday night in Cleveland will depend on early personnel changes. But when both first team units are on the field, here's a look at some of the most intriguing of the contest.

OLB Ryan Kerrigan vs. OTs Joe Thomas and Mitchell Schwartz

Joe Thomas has personified the best qualities of an NFL tackle during his eight-year career. He’s durable, he’s a technician, and he can block with power when called on.

Thomas is still at the top of his game, but Kerrigan could be ascending into his prime in 2015. Per Pro Football Focus, Kerrigan’s ability to pressure the quarterback was one of the best in the league last year. His 72 pressures ranked third-most in the NFL.

His 13.5 sacks was a career high, and if he keeps getting to the quarterback as frequently in 2015, he’ll have plenty of chances to improve that number.

Kerrigan is a problem for quarterbacks no matter where he is lined up. But when shaded on right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, things could get interesting. During his three years in the league, Schwartz has historically started slow and then improved throughout the season. If he’s not ready for a premier pass-rusher out of the gate, Josh McCown or Johnny Manziel could be in some danger.

Browns' rush defense vs. Redskins' ground game

It’s no secret how porous the Browns’ rush defense was in 2014. The unit ranked dead last, giving up 141.6 yards per game. On the other side of things, Washington was steady if nothing else, rushing for more than 100 yards per game at a 4.2 yards-per-carry clip.

Washington drafted guard Brandon Scherff and moved behemoth Morgan Moses to right tackle an attempt to improve in that area even more to take some pressure off quarterback Robert Griffin III.

Danny Shelton was drafted to help occupy space, and blockers, to free up linebackers to fill their lines and make stops closer to the line of scrimmage. Will that happen quickly? Phil Taylor is also back at nose tackle this year for the Browns, and coach Mike Pettine said he will primarily play an interior technique this season, per NFL Network’s Marc Sessler.

We'll see if year two of Pettine's scheme yields better results than last season's embarrassing performance.

Skins receivers vs. Browns defensive backs

Without DeSean Jackson, Washington’s receiver corps may have a difficult time contending with Cleveland’s first-string secondary. Joe Haden, Tramon Williams and K’Waun Williams have the look of an elite-caliber group. Their safety security net of Donte Whitner and Tashaun Gipson allows them to play more aggressive.

Can Pierre Garcon, Andre Roberts or a younger player make a difference against that highly touted group? Will the Browns roll out their full defensive package, or will it be an abbreviated version?

Cleveland should be able to hold its own in this one, especially with Jackson watching from the sideline.

X-Factors

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Being a backup quarterback during preseason has to be disheartening at times. And it's going to be a rough road for both backups if Scott Solomon and Trent Murphy see extended playing time Thursday night.

Redskins' X-Factor: Trent Murphy

While the focus shifts across the formation to Ryan Kerrigan, Trent Murphy will have a chance to make a big impact early in Thursday night’s matchup. Currently slated as the strong-side outside linebacker, Murphy will draw some matchups with Joe Thomas and Mitchell Schwartz.

During the Skins’ recent joint practice with the Houston Texans, Murphy broke through the offense and sacked quarterback Brian Hoyer. Although known more as an edge-setter and run-stopper than fully equipped pass-rusher, Murphy does have some intriguing tools. His power rush could give Schwartz trouble on the right side.

Murphy could also likely see extended reps, since he’s a young player and the coaching staff might want to see some more work from him. That could be a problem for backup Browns linemen, and Murphy could have a huge performance as a result.

Browns' X-Factor: Scott Solomon

Nicknamed “Bloodbath,” Browns outside linebacker Scott Solomon has done nothing except impress coaches since arriving in Cleveland. Over the summer, defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil said Solomon had become one of his favorite players and that former top-10 pick Barkevious Mingo would have to compete to see the field ahead of him.

That’s high praise from a top coach for a player who has drafted in the seventh round and has been cut five times compared to one who was drafted in the first round to be an impact pass-rusher.

Second-year Redskins tackle Morgan Moses and Trent Williams will be tasked with keeping the hungry edge player at bay. Moses isn’t known for having an elite skill set at tackle, and the team even discussed moving him to guard over the summer.

Solomon is still working to prove he belongs in the league, and the matchup with Moses is the perfect opportunity for him to make his presence felt.

What the Experts Are Saying

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns' quarterback position may be Josh McCown's to lose.

Robert Griffin III will play approximately one quarter of the preseason Week 1 matchup in Cleveland, coach Jay Gruden said, per Rich Tandler of CSN Washington.

Tandler took that declaration and speculated about what that means for the rest of the Redskins offense:

"

It should be expected that the other offensive starters will play the same amount of time that Griffin does, at least the line. Gruden would not say how long the defensive starters would play, saying that they would determine that and what injured players will participate after today’s practice.

"

This is not earth-shattering news and not an indictment on Griffin at all. Gruden, like Mike Pettine, is going to have a lot of difficult decisions in the coming weeks, and not many of them pertain to players he has slated in starting roles.

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Browns running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery wants one of his players to step up to be the bell-cow back, but he said none of the group has taken the job yet, per Kevin Jones of ClevelandBrowns.com.

Jones points out that offensive coordinator John DeFilippo is not opposed to “riding the hot hand” or using a committee approach, but Montgomery sees things differently.

“I don’t want to get into it like we had to last year, rotating,” said Montgomery, per Steve Doerschuk of CantonRep.com. “I want one guy to be able to say, ‘Hey, we know who the starter is.’

“These next few weeks, I want to see if somebody’s willing to pick up the flag.”

And that guy, in his mind, could be injured rookie Duke Johnson, who will not see the field Thursday night in Cleveland. Montgomery, a former standout running back with the Philadelphia Eagles, sees a little bit of Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas in Duke, per Doerschuk.

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On the topic of Browns running backs, Sports Illustrated's Don Banks released a bombshell Tuesday. According to Banks, Coach Pettine said the team had mulled over signing free-agent running back Ray Rice to bolster its running back room.

Why would the Browns need to do that with Johnson, Crowell and West on the roster? Pettine told Banks that all three showed up to camp in poor condition.

While the idea was tossed around, it doesn't sound like anything is imminent on the Browns' end.

“I don’t think it’s gotten to that point, to say, ‘Hey, I’d kind of be comfortable with it,’” Pettine said, per Banks. “But I think it would get to that point if we arrived at it from a football standpoint, then asked that question."

Never say never, though. Montgomery and Pettine both have a relationship with the former Baltimore Ravens back. Montgomery's tutelage led to three Pro Bowls for Rice from 2008 to 2013.

Having Rice added to the mix could be a motivator for the current depth chart, but don't expect him to punch his ticket to the Pro Bowl one year removed from his worst season as a pro. He's on the wrong side of 30 years old, spent a year away from football and was clearly on the decline before that.

The Browns can do better with their current players. Hopefully, Montgomery's words will be the driving force to get the best out of them and not result in the signing of a public-relations nightmare like Rice.

Prediction: Browns 20, Redskins 14

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Predicting a preseason matchup, especially one with so many injuries on both sides, is never an easy task. Snap counts and depth are what matter most, and the Browns—at least on paper—seem like a deeper team from top to bottom.

Does that mean Mike Pettine will keep his first- and second-teamers in the game into the second half? No, he very well could give a few series of work to both groups and then switch to evaluation mode quickly. After all, the coach has 12 quarters to cut 15 players and another four to send 22 more players packing.

Look for Josh McCown and the Browns’ first-team offense to move the ball well early against the rebuilding Redskins defense. At full strength, and with more complex coverages implemented, things might be a little different, but we’re not going to see those things Thursday night.

The Redskins should move the ball on the ground with Alfred Morris and Matt Jones. Cleveland’s worst-ranked rush defense from 2014 isn’t going to dramatically improve overnight, but there should be some signs of life from the group. Added 330-plus pounds of Danny Shelton to the interior should make a difference.

Despite how much more experienced Washington’s quarterbacks are, the progress of Johnny Manziel and Connor Shaw looks real, and they should have strong performances against Washington’s backups after doing the same against their own defense’s second-teamers last Friday night.

Mike Hoag (@MikeHoagJr) covers the Cleveland Browns for Bleacher Report and is the managing editor of Browns Beat.