Cleveland Browns Week 1 injury report: Defense thin for 2020 kickoff

The Cleveland Browns defense is hurting in Week 1

It seems hard to believe but the first week of the 2020 NFL Season is finally here. For the Cleveland Browns, that means they will be traveling to M&T Bank Stadium to play the Baltimore Ravens.

Facing the defending AFC North Champions in Week 1 is never an ideal situation, but this season it’s even more of a difficult task since there was no preseason. Making that even more challenging for the Browns is the fact that they’re also trying to install a new offensive and defensive scheme with Kevin Stefanski taking over as head coach with Alex Van Pelt and Joe Woods coming in as offensive and defensive coordinators respectively.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Browns also have to enter Week 1 extremely thin on defense. Entering this weekend, they’ll be without two starters as Mack Wilson is out with a knee injury and Greedy Williams will miss time with a shoulder issue.

Also out will be Kevin Johnson, who was set to be the nickel cornerback for Cleveland this season and in a pass-happy NFL, the third cornerback is also often considered a starter.

The final player listed as out is Chris Hubbard, the team’s swing tackle.

Questionable:

M.J. Stewart Jr., CB, Hamstring
J.C. Tretter, C, Knee

Out:

Chris Hubbard, OT, Ankle
Kevin Johnson, CB, Liver
Greedy Williams, CB, Shoulder
Mack Wilson, LB, Knee

The good news for Cleveland is that they will have starting center J.C. Tretter back, which wasn’t guaranteed after he had a knee scope in the offseason.

M.J. Stewart could also go, as he’s listed as questionable. If he suits up, he should be the third corner with Terrance Mitchell starting in the place of Williams.