CLEVELAND — 10:45 p.m.-Browns open preseason with win over Washington
The Cleveland Browns scored early and often, and in a variety of ways during their preseason opener against the Washington football team at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Thursday night.
Whether it was a touchdown pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield to wide receiver Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins on the first drive of the game, an interception return for a touchdown by rookie linebacker Mack Wilson or an 86-yard punt return from wide receiver Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi, the Browns scored in all three phases on the way to a 30-10 win over Washington in front of the home fans.
The Browns (1-0) will next be in action on Saturday, August 17 when they take on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis in an afternoon game. Ahead of that game, the Browns will hold two joint practices with Indianapolis at the Colts’ training camp headquarters in Westfield, Indiana.
10:33 p.m.-Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi takes punt return to the house
Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi’s path to the National Football League has been anything but conventional, but he is making the most of his opportunity with the Cleveland Browns.
Late in the fourth quarter of the preseason opener against the Washington football team at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Thursday night, Sheehy-Guiseppi fielded a punt at his own 14-yard line and hustled his way down the right sideline for a touchdown.
The Browns’ bench erupted with excitement following the touchdown, and most of the team joined Sheehy-Guiseppi in the end zone for the celebration.
10:23 p.m.-Blough throws TD pass to Montgomery to build Browns lead
Rookie quarterback David Blough combined with wide receiver D.J. Montgomery to extend the Cleveland Browns’ lead over the Washington football team to two scores with 4:19 to play in the fourth quarter of the preseason opener at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Thursday night.
Blough capped off an 11-play drive that covered 80 yards in just over six minutes with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Montgomery late in the fourth quarter. Despite being interfered with on his route, Montgomery separated himself from coverage and secured the catch in the end zone.
Montgomery’s touchdown catch and the ensuing extra-point conversion gave the Browns a 24-10 lead over Washington.
10:02 p.m.-Mack does it again
If Cleveland Browns fans did not know about rookie linebacker Mack Wilson before the preseason started, they surely do now after his standout showing in the exhibition opener against Washington at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Thursday night.
On third-and-eight from the Washington 28-yard line, quarterback Josh Woodrum looked for wide receiver Kelvin Harmon, but Wilson had other ideas, as he stepped up in the passing lane, and with outstretched arms, corralled his second interception of the game.
Wilson proved over the first 12 days of training camp that he had a nose for the football, and the former University of Alabama standout added to an impressive start to his NFL career in the second quarter of the preseason opener.
Washington’s offense faced a second-and-one from its own 32-yard line when rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. lofted a pass down the right sideline for running back Byron Marshall, but Wilson was there to take away the ball.
After catching the underthrown pass, Wilson hustled down the sideline, got around a tackle attempt from Haskins Jr. and muscled his way through two more Washington players to get across the goal line for the 40-yard touchdown.
9:45 p.m.-Browns put together solid drive, but fumble late
The Cleveland Browns looked to put a response drive together after Washington’s opening possession of the second half resulted in a field goal to make it a one-score game, but a turnover deep in opposing territory proved costly.
The Browns moved 69 yards over 10 plays, the final 10 yards coming on a pass from quarterback Garrett Gilbert to wide receiver Ishmael Hyman. However, as Hyman headed down the sideline after securing the catch, Washington cornerback Jimmy Moreland jarred the ball loose.
Reserve safety Jeremy Reaves recovered the ball at Washington’s two-yard line and returned it for 27 yards before being forced out of bounds.
9:35 p.m.-Washington’s Dustin Hopkins converts 35-yard FG
CLEVELAND -- The Washington football team cut into the Cleveland Browns’ lead with a strong first drive in the second half of the preseason opener at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Thursday night.
Rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins led a 14-play, 63-yard drive that took nearly seven minutes off the third-quarter clock, and kicker Dustin Hopkins capped off the possession with a 35-yard field goal conversion at the 8:21 mark of the period.
Hopkins’ kick made it a one-score lead for the Browns, 17-10, near the midway point of the third quarter.
9:20 p.m.-Browns lead Washington, 17-7, at the half
CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Browns held a 17-7 lead over the Washington football team after the first half of play in the preseason opener at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Thursday night.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield opened the scoring with a 24-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins on the first drive of the game, and then, after Washington evened the score late in the first quarter, the defense got in on the act.
Browns rookie linebacker Mack Wilson proved over the first 12 days of training camp that he had a nose for the football, and the former University of Alabama standout added to an impressive start to his NFL career in the second quarter.
Washington’s offense faced a second-and-one from its own 32-yard line when rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. lofted a pass down the right sideline for running back Byron Marshall, but Wilson was there to take away the ball.
After catching the underthrown pass, Wilson hustled down the sideline, got around a tackle attempt from Haskins Jr. and muscled his way through two more Washington players to get across the goal line for the 40-yard touchdown.
The Browns added a field goal late in the first half to give them a 10-point cushion heading into the intermission.
9:05 p.m.-Greedy Williams gets an INT
Cleveland Browns rookie cornerback Greedy Williams atoned for an earlier miscue when he corralled an interception late in the first half of play against the Washington football team in the preseason opener at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Thursday night.
On first-and-10 from the Cleveland 47-yard line, Washington rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. threw a pass down the right side of the field for tight end Matt Flanagan, but he was off the mark and Williams collected his first turnover of the preseason.
Williams had a four-yard return after the interception and enjoyed a jog down the field to celebrate with teammates and fans alike.
Earlier in the first half, Williams made a costly mistake in coverage.
Facing a third-and-16 from the Browns’ 46-yard line, reserve quarterback Case Keenum fired a pass deep down the right side of the field for wide receiver Robert Davis and the second-year wide receiver hauled in the catch and hustled the final few yards into the end zone for the touchdown.
Davis got behind Williams’ coverage at the line of scrimmage, as the first-year defender seemingly expected help from a safety rotating over toward the sideline, but that assistance never came and left Davis wide open for the reception.
8:54 p.m.-Greg Joseph converts from 43 yards out
CLEVELAND -- A drop on a crossing route on third down led to a long field goal attempt for Cleveland Browns kicker Greg Joseph, but the second-year specialist converted a 43-yarder right down the middle of the field.
Joseph’s first field goal of the preseason gave the Browns a 17-7 lead over the Washington football team with 4:55 to play in the first half of the exhibition opener at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Thursday night.
Joseph’s kick capped off an eight-play, 39-yard drive that took 3:51 off the second-quarter clock.
8:38 p.m.-Mack Wilson returns INT for TD against Washington
CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Browns rookie linebacker Mack Wilson proved over the first 12 days of training camp that he had a nose for the football, and the former University of Alabama standout added to an impressive start to his NFL career in the second quarter of the preseason opener Thursday night.
Washington’s offense faced a second-and-one from its own 32-yard line when rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. lofted a pass down the right sideline for running back Byron Marshall, but Wilson was there to take away the ball.
After catching the underthrown pass, Wilson hustled down the sideline, got around a tackle attempt from Haskins Jr. and muscled his way through two more Washington players to get across the goal line for the 40-yard touchdown.
Wilson’s touchdown and Austin Seibert’s extra point gave the Browns a 14-7 lead over Washington with 10:53 to play in the first half.
8:22 p.m.-Browns, Washington even after first quarter
The Cleveland Browns and Washington football team played even over the first quarter of play in the preseason opener at FirstEnergy Stadium, and took a 7-7 tie score into the second period Thursday night.
The Browns won the coin toss, took the ball and quarterback Baker Mayfield opened the preseason with a scoring drive on the first possession of the game, as his touchdown pass to Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins gave Cleveland a 7-0 lead over Washington with 12:47 to play in the first quarter.
Facing a first-and-10 from Washington’s 24-yard line, Mayfield took the snap from center JC Tretter and fired a throw down the left hashmarks to Higgins, who broke open between the second and third-level defenders to create the window for the touchdown pass.
Mayfield was five of six for 77 yards with the touchdown pass on the first drive of the game, while running back Nick Chubb rushed for 12 yards on his lone carry and caught one pass for 14 yards.
The Washington offense struggled to move the ball on its first two possessions, but a pass interference penalty, and later, a blown coverage allowed them to get down the field against the Cleveland Browns’ second-team defense and even the score at 7-7 with 7:23 to play in the first quarter.
Facing a third-and-16 from the Browns’ 46-yard line, reserve quarterback Case Keenum fired a pass deep down the right side of the field for wide receiver Robert Davis and the second-year wide receiver hauled in the catch and hustled the final few yards into the end zone for the touchdown.
Davis had gotten behind the coverage of rookie cornerback Greedy Williams, who seemingly expected help from a safety rotating over toward the sideline, but that assistance never came and left Davis wide open for the reception.
Earlier in the drive, Davis drew a pass-interference penalty from veteran safety Eric Murray that wiped out an incompletion on third-and-nine from the Washington 17-yard line and moved the ball to the Cleveland 40.
8:02 p.m.-Washington draws even with Browns
The Washington offense struggled to move the ball on its first two possessions, but a pass interference penalty, and later, a blown coverage allowed them to get down the field against the Cleveland Browns’ second-team defense and even the score at 7-7 with 7:23 to play in the first quarter of the preseason opener at FirstEnergy Stadium Thursday night.
Facing a third-and-16 from the Browns’ 46-yard line, reserve quarterback Case Keenum fired a pass deep down the right side of the field for wide receiver Robert Davis and the second-year wide receiver hauled in the catch and hustled the final few yards into the end zone for the touchdown.
Davis had gotten behind the coverage of rookie cornerback Greedy Williams, who seemingly expected help from a safety rotating over toward the sideline, but that assistance never came and left Davis wide open for the reception.
Earlier in the drive, Davis drew a pass-interference penalty from veteran safety Eric Murray that wiped out an incompletion on third-and-nine from the Washington 17-yard line and moved the ball to the Cleveland 40.
7:52 p.m.-Baker Mayfield pulled after successful first series
That is good enough for the first night.
After just one series in the preseason opener against the Washington football team at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland Browns coach Freddie Kitchens pulled starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and turned the game over to veteran Drew Stanton, Alliance of American Football standout Garrett Gilbert and rookie David Blough.
Although it was a quick night for the second-year signal-caller, it was a good one as Mayfield was five of six for 77 yards with the 24-yard touchdown to Higgins, which gave the Browns a 7-0 lead over Washington with 12:47 left to play in the first quarter.
7:42 p.m.-Baker Mayfield engineers TD drive to open preseason
Well, that did not take long.
The Cleveland Browns won the coin toss, took the ball and quarterback Baker Mayfield opened the preseason with a scoring drive on the first possession of the game, as his touchdown pass to Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins gave Cleveland a 7-0 lead over Washington with 12:47 to play in the first quarter from FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.
Facing a first-and-10 from Washington’s 24-yard line, Mayfield took the snap from center JC Tretter and fired a throw down the left hashmarks to Higgins, who broke open between the second and third-level defenders to create the window for the touchdown pass.
Mayfield was five of six for 77 yards with the touchdown pass on the first drive of the game, while running back Nick Chubb rushed for 12 yards on his lone carry and caught one pass for 14 yards.
6:55 p.m.-Browns to play Baker Mayfield, sit Kareem Hunt, Odell Beckham Jr. in preseason opener
The Cleveland Browns are going to limit the amount of starters that play in tonight’s preseason opener against the Washington football team at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.
According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, the Browns will not play running back Kareem Hunt or wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. against Washington, while quarterback Baker Mayfield is going to play so long as he gets protection from the offensive line.
Hunt has been dealing with a groin injury since reporting for training camp last month.
6:45 p.m.-Let the games begin
The march to the 2019 regular season begins in earnest tonight when the Cleveland Browns host the Washington football team at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland in the preseason opener for both squads.
With two practices scheduled with the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday and Thursday of next week ahead of their preseason Week 2 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium, Browns coach Freddie Kitchens has been weighing the benefit of building chemistry against preserving health as long as possible ahead of the regular season.
“I think they definitely need to play together, and we will monitor it as it goes along from the standpoint of their timing and stuff like that,” Kitchens said.
“Our practices are pretty physical from that standpoint. We will see and monitor that -- the relationship the receivers and quarterback have together, their timing and stuff like that. A lot of things factor into those questions. I am not trying to dismiss it. Some of it factors into who is available.”
Typically, the starters play a series or two in the first preseason game and gradually build up the volume of work, culminating with playing into the third quarter of the third exhibition outing.
However, with a week-long stay in the greater Indianapolis area set to begin early next week, Kitchens may look to limit the amount of contact his starters take in games that do not count toward the win-loss record for the 2019 season.
“That will definitely factor into it,” Kitchens said. “We expect to have some physical, ‘get better’ type of practices with the Colts. I am pretty sure (Colts Coach) Frank (Reich) wants the same thing, so you have to factor in all of those things.
“Ultimately, in September, you want to get them there healthy, but there is also a fine line between getting them there healthy and getting them there battle-hardened and battle-tested for what is going to happen because from this moment on, they are never going to feel perfect until February. We have to get used to playing like that.”
Regardless of the length of game time given to the players tonight and throughout the rest of the preseason, Kitchens wants them to make the most of the opportunities given.
“I just want to see these guys competing against other people,” Kitchens said. “You have to have a measuring stick at some point with the down-the-line guys up against their guys of the same nature.
“I want to see some guys that may have plenty of playing time competing against their good guys. It is all about competing for me and seeing how they compete against other guys. They have been competing against each other pretty good for the last two weeks.”