The Cleveland Browns are a win away from clinching the playoffs, and they have the chance to do it in front of their home crowd under primetime lights as they take on the New York Jets on Thursday night. However, they'll have to do so with their star wide receiver Amari Cooper sidelined.
Cooper entered Thursday's game listed as questionable with a heel injury. The Browns are on a short week, and Cooper is coming off his historic game Sunday against the Texans, where he set multiple franchise records.
RELATED: Browns WR Amari Cooper sets 2 franchise records in game against Texans
With the heel injury bothering him, the Browns wanted to see how he felt on Wednesday and into Thursday afternoon before making a decision. Ahead of kickoff Thursday evening, the Browns ruled Cooper out.
With the heel injury bothering him, the Browns wanted to see how he felt on Wednesday and into Thursday afternoon before making a decision. Ahead of kickoff Thursday evening, the Browns ruled Cooper out.
Meanwhile, the Browns also listed wide receiver Marquise Goodwin and safety Juan Thornhill as questionable for the game. Thornhill has been dealing with a calf injury that has sidelined him, but he returned to practice on the short week, working to the side on Tuesday. Before kickoff, the Browns cleared them to play.
Here are the Browns inactive for Thursday Night Football:
- WR Amari Cooper
- LB Anthony Walker Jr.
- K Dustin Hopkins
- P Corey Bojorquez
- DE Ogbo Okoronkwo
- C Luke Wypler
- DE Sam Kamara
Hopkins was ruled out on Tuesday with a hamstring injury he sustained Sunday against the Texans. The Browns signed kicker Riley Patterson to the practice squad and elevated him for Thursday's game. Bojorquez was listed as doubtful for the game after sustaining a quad injury Sunday. The Browns signed and elevated punter Matthew Haack for the game.
Walker had been ruled out with a knee injury he had a procedure on, and Okoronkwo was ruled out with a pectoral injury that the team is continuing to monitor for his potential return as opposed to season-ending surgery.
For the Jets, quarterback Zach Wilson had been ruled out with a concussion this week. Starting for New York at quarterback will be Trevor Siemian.
