CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns coach Kevin Stefanski revealed Wednesday that Baker Mayfield will not play Saturday night in Jacksonville in the preseason opener.
It means Case Keenum will likely get the start, and Kyle Lauletta will get playing time. It will be a great opportunity for Keenum to get some reps with some of the first-teamers before the season begins, although Stefanski will likely rest a lot of his starters.
Stefanski also revealed that he’ll call the plays again this season, but noted it’s not a one-man job.
“We do it very collaboratively,’’ he said. “I’m fortunate to have guys that called it before and make sure I have all of the information I need.’’
He said Tuesday that offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and other assistants will call some plays in preseason to get them acclimated to the chore. He said it’s all part of developing the coaches on his staff.
As for Keenum, he put on an excellent performance in the Orange and Brown scrimmage on Sunday, scoring touchdowns in both of his two-minute drills. The first was a 39-yard touchdown pass to second-year tight end Harrison Bryant, and the second was a 1-yard TD to a leaping David Njoku over rookie safety Richard LeCounte III.
In other updates, Stefanski said Denzel Ward is getting close to returning from his general soreness that he’s been working through, and that they’ll continue to be smart with the long list of other injured guys on the team.
More to come soon.
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