Rookies carry Browns to first preseason win

Offense will grow from rough start

The debut of QB Deshaun Watson did not go as planned, but Stefanski said the performance will help them make the adjustments necessary to get better.

Watson went 1-for-5 with for seven yards — a completion to TE David Njoku — on the first three series of the game. WR Anthony Schwartz had two drops, RB D’Ernest Johnson had a fumble and the offense failed to pick up a first down.

The Browns did sit a few notable offensive players in WR Amari Cooper, RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, G Joel Bitonio and OT Jack Conklin, but the expectations were certainly higher for the group with Watson leading them in his Browns debut. The seven passing yards were the only yards the Browns mustered in the first quarter before all backups were entered for the start of the second quarter.

“We just have to be better as an offense early,” Stefanski said. “It’s our first game out there, and I think you can tell. For us, we’ll knock some rust back and get back to work.

“This is all part of the process for us. We’re making mistakes. It’s sloppy, and now it’s my job and our job to get it cleaned up.”

Browns await update on Harris

To make matters worse for the offense, center Nick Harris was carted off the field with a right knee injury after the second play of the game with a knee injury and was replaced by Ethan Pocic.

Harris, a 2020 fifth-round pick, was expected to replace longtime center JC Tretter at the position and practically lived at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus to prepare for his biggest season yet. Stefanski said the Browns will have Harris take an MRI on Saturday.

“I’ll be able to update you tomorrow,” Stefanski said.