The two most important players to the Cleveland Browns going into Week 5 missed Week 4. DEs Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney were both questionable going into last weekend after not practicing all week. The team ruled Garrett out Saturday morning and Clowney was inactive when the game rolled around.
The disruption of Garrett along with the length and strength of Clowney are key to the team’s defense. Without those two, along with fellow starter DT Taven Bryan, the defense can’t function as it was designed. The team’s lighter linebackers aren’t free to run around and make plays without the protection of those three starters upfront.