Browns will be without a few players for Jaguars
By Peter Smith
Nov 24, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Felix Jones (23) runs through the defense of Cleveland Browns cornerback Johnson Bademosi (24) and Cleveland Browns linebacker Darius Eubanks (50) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns will be shorthanded as they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars this week. The most notable injury is certainly the concussion suffered by Jason Campbell, both because it means he cannot play this week and because of the fact that a league consumed with safety and protecting quarterbacks had a remarkably big blind spot. A team in the Pittsburgh Steelers that has had a history of getting away with or benefiting from calls of referees got another one in that game. As a result, Brandon Weeden is back with a vengeance this week as he tries to prove he has any future in the NFL.
Campbell is not the only injury as injuries at inside linebacker could see a fresh face with a big opportunity to make a statement. Craig Robertson is doubtful with a knee injury this week. The knee injury has him unlikely to play gave Tank Carder a chance to play. Carder suffered a shoulder injury which has him out this week. The next man up who had some time last week but will have far more reps in practice going into this week is Darius Eubanks.
Eubanks, a rookie out of Georgia Southern (Yes, the Georgia Southern that just beat Florida) is listed at 6’2” 222lbs, which is definitely undersized for the position. He has been on the active roster since October 26th. Last week was his first real action of the year; he managed to get two tackles. It is a big opportunity for him to show what he can do and if he has any chance of being a full service linebacker or if he is only a specialist.
The situation is not ideal, but given where the Browns are in their season, evaluating a player like Eubanks is not a bad thing. The Browns have been employing what they refer to as an evolving roster all season constantly looking to shuffle the bottom of the roster to try to find talent that can help them. Injuries will make it so Eubanks can make a quick impression on the coaching staff as he gets his first NFL start.