Browns defense looking to bring physicality against Chargers offense

Herbert’s favorite target this season has been rookie WR Ladd McConkey, who leads the Chargers with 376 receiving yards and four touchdown receptions. Last week against the Saints, McConkey had his best game as a pro, catching all six of his targets for 111 yards and two touchdowns.

“He’s a talented young player,” Stefanski said. “Very fast, time speed and plays fast. Can catch the ball in a variety of areas. Had a nice play at the back of the end zone, can catch option routes. They’re utilizing him in a bunch of different ways. He looks to be very trustworthy for the quarterback, he goes to him in a lot of situations.”

McConkey has shown his ability to play in both the slot and on the outside. All four of his touchdowns have come from his 30 slot targets this season, per NFL Pro. He’s added another 10 catches for 88 yards when lined up on the outside or in a tight alignment.

As they look to counter McConkey and the Chargers offense, the Browns will be without LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah after he suffered a neck injury against the Ravens. With Owusu-Koramoah out, the Browns will look to their younger linebackers, such as Mohamoud Diabate, to step in and help the defense counter the Chargers offense.

Diabate played a season-high 89 percent of snaps against the Ravens in Week 8, registering nine tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass defensed.

“Mohamoud stepped in and played really well,” Schwartz said. “But we got some good contributions. [Rookie LB Nathaniel Watson] stepped in, had some good contributions, you know, [LB Winston Reid] played a little bit. We’ll just need a little bit more from those guys.”