The list of players out for the Cleveland Browns for Sunday’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints keeps growing.
The team announced on Saturday afternoon that wide receiver Josh Gordon, linebacker Christian Kirksey and tight end Seth DeValve have been ruled out for Sunday’s game.
Kirksey was on Friday’s injury report listed as questionable with a shoulder and ankle injury but Gordon and DeValve (both hamstring) were both not featured on the injury report during the week.
According to reports, Gordon arrived at the training facility being bothered by his hamstring and after the medical staff checked him out, they determined he wouldn’t be able to play. It was also reported that Gordon didn’t make the trip with the team to New Orleans.
This comes after last week’s opener when prior to the game, ESPN reported that Gordon would only play around 20 snaps but the team decided, knowing that Gordon has been dealing with hamstring issues since his return on August 18 to play him 69 offensive snaps.
Gordon made one catch out of three targets, that catch being the 17-yard touchdown that tied the game late in the fourth quarter and wound up being the final scoring play of the game as Cleveland and Pittsburgh tied at 21.
With Gordon being out, expect Antonio Callaway or Rashard Higgins to start in his place at the wide receiver position opposite Jarvis Landry.
Christian Kirksey is missing his first game of his NFL career. The 2014 third round pick had played in 65 consecutive games prior to this week.
The heart and soul of the Browns defense had 7 tackles last week against Pittsburgh and with his absence will increase the playing time for James Burgess who is returning from a concussion he suffered in the preseason. It could also mean Genard Avery gets more playing time than being just used primarly as a pass rusher.
Seth DeValve dealt with quad injuries during the preseason and didn’t appear in any games prior to the opener last week. Now another injury is hampering the number three tight end behind David Njoku and Darren Fells. The team could use Orson Charles at tight end and use more three tight end packages to use both Fells and Charles as blockers in running situations.