Warning Signs for Browns Lackluster Preseason Performance

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The Browns haven’t hidden that they intend to keep either Tyler Huntley or Dorian Thompson-Robinson as their No. 3 quarterback behind Deshaun Watson and Jameis Winston. Watson and Winston took all the reps in the joint practices, and Winston started last week’s preseason opener.

Thompson-Robinson started and played the first half Sunday. Huntley played the second half and spent most of it scrambling, largely thanks to the tackle situation. Thompson-Robinson has been impressive throughout camp, but his final throw Saturday was tipped and intercepted as the Browns tried to mount a drive late in the first half. He’d previously led a touchdown drive highlighted by Thompson-Robinson showing off improved arm strength in helping tight end Giovanni Ricci draw a pass interference flag that gave the Browns a first and goal at the 1-yard line.

Thompson-Robinson finished 13-of-17 for 126 yards and the interception.

Huntley was 14-of-20 for 135 yards and two interceptions, the second as he tried to evade trouble on the final drive. The Browns like Huntley’s mobility and ability to extend plays, but he was running too much Saturday in a difficult situation. Ricci left the game late in the first half with a knee injury and was immediately ruled out. Ricci projects as a special teams player and the Browns’ No. 3 tight end, but he lined up as a fullback with the starters during both joint practices. Zaire Mitchell-Paden, the No. 4 tight end, caught a 30-yard pass from Huntley in the third quarter but limped off late in the game. Stefanski said he expects Mitchell-Paden to be OK but provided no update on Ricci.

• Stefanski also offered no update on Cooper, David Njoku or Denzel Ward. Cooper and Njoku left Thursday’s joint practice with unknown injuries. Ward remains in the concussion protocol.

• Even before the in-game injuries, the Browns had 39 of their 91 players inactive for the game. Two of the 53 active were just signed the day before the game, safety Tyler Coyle and temporary long snapper Rex Sunahara. The Browns also signed Sunahara to snap in last week’s preseason game because their regular long snapper, Charley Hughlett, is dealing with what the team said is a minor injury.

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