CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Browns fans will have to wait for their first look at Odell Beckham Jr. playing inside of his new home stadium.
But while Beckham will sit out the team's preseason opener on Thursday night, those in attendance for the Browns' exhibition with the Washington Redskins will get to see star quarterback Baker Mayfield in action.
According to ESPN's Josina Anderson, Mayfield will play in his team's preseason opener -- although it remains to be seen for how long. Per Anderson, the expectation for the second-year signal-caller is to "come out here and move the ball if he gets good protection" from a Cleveland offensive line that possesses some question marks entering the 2019 campaign.
While Mayfield will be in action vs. Washington on Thursday, the same can't be said of Beckham, who the Browns acquired in a blockbuster trade with the New York Giants in March. Beckham's absence doesn't come as a surprise with the Browns taking a precautionary approach with their star players entering the highly anticipated 2019 campaign.
In addition to Beckham, Anderson reports that running back Kareem Hunt won't play against the Redskins on Thursday either. Facing an eight-game suspension entering the season, the Willoughby South product has been limited in training camp thus far as he continues to recover from a groin injury.
Anderson also noted that defensive end Olivier Vernon and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson were each absent from pre-team warmups. Cleveland's starting defensive line, which also includes Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjob, had largely been limited in training camp this week.
For all the latest from FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday, follow our live blog and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #3Browns.
