Browns schedule eases slightly due to QB injuries

The Cleveland Browns were embarrassed and were embarrassing in Week 2 versus the Baltimore Ravens, but the show goes on in the NFL. The Browns schedule was noted to be difficult when it came out due to very difficult opponents through the first five games and a tough finishing group as well.

Two games in, Cleveland looked competent against the Cincinnati Bengals and anything but competent against the Baltimore Ravens. The Green Bay Packers, a team that looks like it is one of the best in the NFL through two weeks, comes to town in Week 3, with the home team another big underdog.

Prior to “hosting” the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5, Cleveland will travel to the Detroit Lions for another difficult matchup. Given the number of injuries to quarterbacks in the first two weeks, it will be interesting to see who the Browns actually face. The Vikings are unlikely to have JJ McCarthy starting for them in London:

Barring a quick recovery, Minnesota is probably best to play it safe and leave McCarthy back in the United States for their two-game road trip across the pond for Weeks 4 and 5.

McCarthy is far from the only QB injury.

• Bengals QB Joe Burrow will miss three months and potentially the rest of the season, depending on how the team fares without him, with a turf toe injury. Cleveland and Cincinnati face off in Week 18
• New York Jets QB Justin Fields is in concussion protocol, which can sometimes take multiple weeks before being able to clear. The Browns and Jets play in early November, with Fields likely cleared from the concussion by then
• Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels will miss a week or more with a knee injury
• San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy missed Week 2 but could return in Week 3 with his own turf toe issue

With injuries building around the league, injury reports will be critical each week.