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The Cleveland Browns knew they would have to make adjustments on the offensive line when center Alex Mack signed with Atlanta and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz joined Kansas City in free agency. After just three games, the challenge is bigger than expected.
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John Greco will be at center for the second straight week on Sunday (1 p.m. ET) when the Browns (0-3) visit the Washington Redskins (1-2). Grego will get the nod with center Cameron Erving still recovering from a bruised lung.
That isn't the biggest issue, however. Austin Pasztor had a miserable day in Miami, surrendering six pressures and one sack while being whistled for three holding penalties plus two illegal procedure fouls. Despite the tough performance, Pasztor will start against the Redskins as the Browns look for their first victory of the season.
"He's the best we have," Cleveland coach Hue Jackson said. "Anytime a guy gives up multiple sacks and has a few penalties, I think everybody thinks that the guy's not playing as well. Were there some times that we could've helped him a little more? Yes, there's no question we could have.
"But I think Austin Pasztor is battling as hard as he can, and I think he's still the right choice for us over at right tackle. Will I adjust our scheme a little bit to do some things to help him? Yeah, but I wish you guys could see some of the other things that he is doing that balance some of the things that he's not doing as well."
Jackson said rookie offensive linemen Shon Coleman, a third-round pick from Auburn, and Spencer Drango, a fifth-round pick from Baylor, are not ready to take Pasztor's spot.
Even that isn't the end of the problems on the offensive line. Alvin Bailey, a backup the first two weeks, started at right guard against the Dolphins when Greco moved to center. Bailey was arrested and charged with OVI plus possession of drug paraphernalia about four hours after the team flight from Miami landed in Cleveland.
Bailey faces team and possible league discipline. He told police he was drinking on the plane, which is a violation of both team and NFL rules. For now, Bailey will start at right guard against the Redskins.
There are issues on the other side of the ball as well. The Browns are hopeful left cornerback Joe Haden can play against the Redskins. He suffered a groin injury in practice last Thursday and did not play against the Dolphins. Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill took advantage of Haden's absence and threw three touchdown passes.
Haden practiced Wednesday after saying an hour before practice that he wouldn't. Haden normally follows the opponent's best receiver, and in the case of the Redskins, that likely would mean DeSean Jackson. Jackson is averaging 17 yards a catch. Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins has three touchdown passes.
The Browns are also hopeful strong safety Ibraheim Campbell has healed from a hamstring injury and can play against the Redskins. Campbell was inactive against the Dolphins and did not practice Wednesday.
--Sunday's game versus the Washington Redskins was supposed to be the big game where quarterback Robert Griffin III led the Browns against his former team, but that won't happen.
Griffin will be on the sideline in street clothes and likely wearing a sling on his left arm. He suffered a broken bone in his left shoulder in the opener and is on injured reserve.
--Browns rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman is confident he will be back before midseason after sustaining a broken right hand in practice last week.
Coleman was injured when he caught a pass and got hit by a safety. His finger caught on the defender's pads and bent backward. He continued practicing and did not realize his hand was broken.
"I was shocked," he said in the locker room on Monday. "It didn't hurt or anything. That's a blessing that I don't have to have surgery. Now it's just waiting time."
Coleman has seven catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
--The Redskins were defending Super Bowl champions when the Browns beat them, 17-13, on Nov. 27, 1988, in a steady rain at RFK Stadium.
Earnest Byner ran 27 yards to score the winning touchdown with 1:49 to play. The Browns outscored the Redskins, 14-3, in the fourth quarter.
A one-yard touchdown run by Kevin Mack earlier in the period tied the score 10-10.
--Browns running back Isaiah Crowell is tied for second in the NFL with 274 rushing yards. Going back to last season, he has five rushing touchdowns in his last seven games.
The Browns will be counting on him heavily again on Sunday against the Redskins.
Crowell is not satisfied because the Browns are 0-3.
"For me, personally, I have to work on pass protection and running harder," he said. "That's the main thing I want to do."
--Browns sparkplug Terrelle Pryor can do it all on the offensive side of the ball, but the 27-year-old showed he is capable of capturing the spotlight with his words as well.
Although his team is winless after its first three games, Pryor told reporters that he feels his team is close to turning the corner.
"We're so close to getting over that hump," the converted wide receiver said, via Cleveland.com. "Once we get over that hump, I think we're going to have a lot of success, even this year. ... I think we can win all the rest of the games. It depends on our mindset. It depends on how we look at it. It's just one week at a time."
Pryor kept a positive outlook on Sunday, as he reeled in eight receptions for 144 yards, rushed four times for 21 yards and also completed three of his five passes.
