Browns WR Rashard Higgins ready to take advantage of more playing time

The Cleveland Browns provided an update Thursday morning, saying that wide receiver Corey Coleman is expected to miss 4-6 weeks as he recovers from his broken hand. For the next two weeks — until Josh Gordon returns in Week 5 — a couple of rookie receivers will have the chance to step up. The most likely candidate for an uptick in playing time is rookie receiver Rashard Higgins.

Higgins caught a touchdown pass this preseason from QB Cody Kessler on a back shoulder pass. His confidence hasn’t faded, as he playfully told reporters that he expects nothing less than four touchdowns this Sunday against the Dolphins:

Higgins also took responsibility for the interception that QB Josh McCown threw at the end of the half this past Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. Let’s take a look at the film on that play really quick.

Higgins is lined up wide left. He’s going to run 15-20 yards and then make a 90 degree turn to the sideline. The problem is that the cornerback is trailing him a bit by the side, so when he takes the 90 degree turn, the corner is in position to intercept the pass easily. Higgins needed to bend his route to the flag to get away from both the corner and the safety (i.e. the green path).

Here’s another shot at what Higgins does (yellow) and what he should have done (green). The pass is still probably going to end up a little overthrown, but if he takes the green path, then the safety might not have been able to pick off the pass.

Here is the entire play in GIF form:

Other candidates for increased playing time this Sunday are Ricardo Louis, Jordan Payton, and Seth DeValve.