Here we go again

 

Browns defensive tackle Mason Graham suffered an injury in practice this week that has created some doubt about his ability to play against the Dolphins this weekend.

Graham hurt his knee on Thursday and head coach Kevin Stefanski said it was not a long-term concern, but Graham is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. The first-round pick has started every game this season and has 14 tackles and a half-sack in those appearances.

The Browns definitely will not have tight end David Njoku. He’s been ruled out with a knee injury that he suffered in last Sunday’s loss to the Steelers.

Right tackle Jack Conklin returned to practice on Friday, but remains in the concussion protocol. He’s listed as questionable along with defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (knee), wide receiver Gage Larvadain (concussion), and defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (hip).

 

The NFL trade deadline is in early November, which makes this a prime time for chatter about potential deals.

That chatter tends to include speculation about losing teams moving players in order to pick up draft assets for the future and that group includes the Dolphins this year. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back De’Von Achane are two names that have come up recently, but head coach Mike McDaniel said at a Friday press conference that there’s nothing currently on the fire in Miami.

“For the record, all rumors about Miami Dolphins players are baseless currently,” McDaniel said. “And that’s unfortunate. Personally, not just this year for this team, this time of year bothers me for the sake of the individual player that’s having to answer questions about his long-term journey or where he’s playing questioned on rumors or thoughts of other people.”

There are three more Dolphins games before the deadline and more of what we’ve seen the first six weeks could lead to a different answer about what the plans are for the rest of the season in Miami.

 

Rookie third-round pick Dillon Gabriel will be making his third start for the Browns at quarterback on Sunday against the Dolphins.

Gabriel has been OK in his two starts, though he arguably doesn’t have much help around him. But as Mike McDaniel put it during his Friday press conference, Miami wants to make sure Gabriel doesn’t get comfortable.

“He looks like he should be in there,” McDaniel said of Gabriel. “I think that’s an important thing to note, is that to look the part of a starting quarterback in the National Football League is extremely difficult — and even more so if you’re a rookie. I think I look at it through the lens of, he shows us what he’s capable of and certainly makes some very accurate throws to windows.

“The team facing him — for us this week — our job is to make him look like a rookie. What does that mean? That means 11 convicted players playing together and making it hard on him. But, don’t get it twisted, just because he’s a rookie doesn’t mean he can’t spin the ball, see the field, and take advantage of opportunities that you give him. So, the main thing to me is don’t allow him to get comfortable and find a new level of success at this level. He’s already shown the ability to distribute the ball and do so accurately, and on schedule, and on time. So, you have to disrupt him early and often.”

In his two starts, Gabriel has completed 56.5 percent of his passes for 411 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s also taken eight sacks