TE Ben Watson Returns to Practice on Friday, WR Mohamed Massaquoi Ruled Out

by Chris Pokorny on Oct 28, 2011 1:48 PM EDT

According to the Akron Beacon Journal, tight end Benjamin Watson returned to practice Friday morning and took reps with the first team offense. That is a good sign that the veteran tight end will make the start this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Starting right guard Shawn Lauvao also practiced with the first-team offense for the second day in a row, so he is expected to be in the starting lineup as well.

One player who won't be in the starting lineup against the 49ers is wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi. In his post-practice press conference, Browns head coach Pat Shurmur declared that Massaquoi won't play this week as a result of the concussion he suffered against Seattle (side note: defensive end Auston English was also ruled out with a knee injury). Shurmur said that wide receiver Joshua Cribbs will fill in for Massaquoi in the starting lineup. Whether that reduces Cribbs' role on kickoff or punt coverage remains to be seen.

Massaquoi's absence could also force second-year receiver Carlton Mitchell into action. Shurmur again confirmed yesterday that Mitchell will be active for this week's game. As for the reps that Mitchell received in practice, here is what the ABJ had to say:

Wide receiver Carlton Mitchell, who has been active for only one game this season, also took reps with the starters, a sign he could receive a decent amount of playing time if Massaquoi is out.

What about Peyton Hillis? He did not participate in practice, and will be listed questionable for this week's game. Shurmur said that Hillis did some running on Friday and will make the trip to San Francisco with the team. He could end up being a game-time decision.

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I’d assume that means Robiskie is back in the starting lineup… Hell.

"That’s the reality of it and I live in that reality." Shurmur

by LocalMan on Oct 28, 2011 1:56 PM EDT reply actions

who?

"You are the worst villains in football, your evil plan never ceases."-Mooncamping

by discoinferno083 on Oct 28, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Whether that reduces Cribbs’ role on kickoff or punt coverage remains to be seen.

how stupid are we?

do NOT reduce Cribb’s role on ST. ever.

"You are the worst villains in football, your evil plan never ceases."-Mooncamping

by discoinferno083 on Oct 28, 2011 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

Eventually it comes down to a question of attrition…..Other people can return the ball (not as if Cribbs has been tearing it up this year) but the list of even marginally serviceable receivers is pretty threadbare. Couple that with a stout SF run defense, a hurt hillis, and a less-than-full-strength Watson, and you may need Cribbs to play more snaps on offense.

"Mixed emotions. Rather see him hit PEDroia [with that pitch]. I don’t care if he is in the dugout"

by Gradysmanldy on Oct 28, 2011 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think we need to worry about whether he will be the return man. that’s pretty well set as long as he is healthy. The question is whether to put him back in on the coverage teams to avoid giving up six quick points.

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill

by JustBob on Oct 28, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

rec.

he’s an excellent gunner.

let the man do what we pay him for.

"You are the worst villains in football, your evil plan never ceases."-Mooncamping

by discoinferno083 on Oct 28, 2011 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t want to see Massaquoi die on the field. I think it’s time to draft more than one WR.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Oct 28, 2011 5:31 PM EDT reply actions

or just a good one, even.

i’m growing sick of “projects.”

"You are the worst villains in football, your evil plan never ceases."-Mooncamping

by discoinferno083 on Oct 28, 2011 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I recall Robiskie being called the most NFL-ready receiver in that draft when we got him. Oh how very very wrong they were.

Dawgs By Nature: Where we REALLY love belt buckles.

by Adrock2099 on Oct 28, 2011 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Moon saw it coming. Long live the mooncamping.

Even Doug Dieken admits Joe Thomas is the real #73

by Doc's Kid on Oct 28, 2011 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

He is missed dearly.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Oct 28, 2011 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions

It was a bad pick. He struggled to get open at OSU.

by Bernie19Kosar on Oct 29, 2011 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s not true.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Oct 29, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I said it the day he got drafted. He never was able to separate at OSU.

by Bernie19Kosar on Oct 29, 2011 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

He burned corners a lot faster than he is while at Ohio State.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Oct 30, 2011 3:03 AM EDT up reply actions

I couldn’t believe what happened with Robiskie. I thought he had a good chance to come into this year and have a solid season if not a breakout season. I guess I need to switch from kool-aid to gatorade cuz this has to be the most delusional expectation I’ve ever had, yeesh!

Go, I say go away boy, you bother me.

by burntorangeandbrown on Oct 29, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s OK, the homerism double-whammy of being from Cleveland AND going to OSU blinded many to the harsh truth, including me.

Dawgs By Nature: Where we REALLY love belt buckles.

by Adrock2099 on Oct 29, 2011 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Draft? Maybe. I know it would require a serious change of Heckert’s strategy, but free agency could provide a solution. H&H could sign a respectable talent while everyone goes chasing the last few years of Reggie Wayne.

by ouched on Oct 28, 2011 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I wish Pat would realize that Evan Moore is really more of a Dave Logan/Joe Jurvecius type of WR and not let Alex Smith take some of his snaps vs. 49ers. I think he may bring more to the table than Robo – no offense to Robo – just Colt seems to have some chemistry with Moore, MoMass, while Robo is inert.

Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen

by realmccoy on Oct 28, 2011 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

If that’s the case, then they need to put him into the WR rotation and not consider him a TE. We would still need Smith to play the TE position to present the defense with the possibility that the player might be in there to block or to catch.

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill

by JustBob on Oct 29, 2011 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I struggle with this – but I think I would like him more than Cribbs as the 3rd WR. Josh is a playmaker, but he will drop it as well. I think when Watson and Moore are in there together, the bigger targets help a little more than Cribbs speed.

Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen

by realmccoy on Oct 29, 2011 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions