Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills: 5 things to watch
By Thomas Moore
May 26, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive back Charles Gaines (43) during organized team activities at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Among the players listed on Cleveland’s injury report are defensive backs Pierre Desir, Justin Gilbert, Joe Haden, K’Waun Williams, Robert Nelson and Tashaun Gipson.
The injuries to Haden, Desir and Williams really opened up a door for Gilbert to show that he is ready to be an NFL cornerback, but unfortunately that door slammed on Gilbert in a major way. A horrible game against Washington, where Gilbert was the Browns’ lowest-rated player according to Pro Football Focus, followed by an even worse day of practice on Monday against Buffalo, and then a hip flexor injury on Tuesday has Gilbert likely to miss tonight’s game.
That’s bad news as it will give more time for Charles Gaines and Kendall James to impress the coaches. According to the team’s website, the coaches like “how physical Gaines plays and James has opened eyes on the staff because of his instincts and eyesight as a ball hawk.”
Safety Ibraheim Campbell will also be looking to take advantage of increased playing time if Gipson can’t go tonight.
Campbell, who earned a +1.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus while after playing 49 snaps against the Redskins, is embracing his opportunities to find a role on the team.
“The more you can do and understand, the better off you’ll be,” Campbell said. “With anything, versatility helps you as a player just to kind of be able to play different spots and understand the defense and know where other people have to be because you could be there or somewhere else.”
Next: Quarterbacks taking the next step