Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Thursday that he was not planning on playing starters on Saturday in the Browns' preseason matchup against the Vikings.
After two competitive and productive joint practices with the Vikings, Saturday's game will give players down the roster opportunities to show out as they look to make a statement ahead of roster cutdowns – which will be made Aug. 27.
Both QBs Deshaun Watson and Jameis Winston will not play Saturday, with Dorian Thompson-Robinson set to start and Tyler Huntley to take over.
Here are some burning questions going into the Browns' final home game of the preseason.
How will WR Jamari Thrash build on his strong performance in the first preseason game?
Browns fifth-round pick WR Jamari Thrash showed his potential last week against the Packers, leading the team with 43 receiving yards on three receptions.
Thrash, who ran a blazing 4.46 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, has shown his ability to change direction quickly and weave through the secondary on routes. He had the longest play of the day for Cleveland last week, making a nice move from the slot and securing a 22-yard reception in the third quarter.
"It's always great seeing young guys when it finally clicks," Winston said after the game. "I was very impressed with him, and I just want to continue to build on that."
Thrash will have an opportunity to do just that when he hits the field Saturday. The rookie out of Louisville has looked sharp in practice this week, leaping up and making a nice catch on a high ball from Winston in an 11-on-11 drill on Thursday.
Thrash was an explosive playmaker in college, averaging 15.6 yards per reception across his five seasons, the first for of which he spent at Georgia State. The Browns ranked in the bottom five in yards per play last season, and Thrash could provide a boost headed into 2024.
While he won't be playing with Watson or Winston on Saturday, Thrash and Thompson-Robinson are good friends off the field. Thompson-Robinson said he thinks their friendship helps their connection on the field despite not having many reps together in practice. This weekend's game should provide several opportunities for the friends to make something happen on the field.
Who will shine on the offensive line?
With no starters playing, the Browns coaching staff and front office should get a good look at who is best suited to back up their front five.
The Browns are familiar with the importance of skilled backups, losing RT Jack Conklin, LT Jedrick Wills Jr. and T Dawand Jones last season to injuries and having to rely on backups for C Ethan Pocic and G Joel Bitonio, who each missed one game due to injury.
Already in 2024, the Browns have lost C Brian Allen to the injured reserve and C Luke Wypler, who fractured his right ankle last week against the Packers. The team signed C Nick Harris this week, and the former Browns' draft pick will likely see action Saturday.
Tackle is another area that the Browns are currently light on with Conklin and Wills currently on the active/physically unable to perform list. Saturday gives Hakeem Adeniji, Roy Mbaeteka and Lorenzo Thompson important reps at tackle to prove that they can effectively protect the quarterback.
Adeniji has experience starting in the NFL, starting 15 of his 43 career games across four seasons. Mbaeteka, who signed with the Browns as part of the International Player Pathway Program, and Thompson, an UDFA rookie, have yet to appear in a regular season NFL game but both saw action last week.
Rookie G Zak Zinter has had a good showing at camp so far, as the former Michigan Wolverine looks to be well worth the third pick the Browns spent in the 2024 Draft. With Bitonio and Teller, one of the best guard pairings in the league, as advisors for the young player, Zinter should be set up for success as he looks to make an impact as a backup in his rookie season.
Can CB Myles Harden continue his training camp dominance?
If No. 26 is covering a receiver on Saturday, chances are the player in purple isn't coming away with the ball.
The Browns seventh-round pick in the 2024 Draft has been a must-watch player during training camp, particularly against the Vikings in joint practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Wednesday, Harden picked off QB Nick Mullens and returned it for a touchdown during an 11-on-11 drill. A few plays later, Harden once again intercepted a pass from the Vikings QB.
"He's a very smart player, has great ball skills, so he's doing a nice job," Stefanski said after Wednesday's practice. "We're just kind of moving him around and seeing if he can carve out a role."
The Athletic's Dane Brugler called Harden "one of the best day 3 values in the 2024 NFL Draft." Saturday's game will be another chance for Harden to prove himself in front of both Browns fans and those making the final decisions on roster cutdown day.
