CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski took questions from reporters on Friday with regard to injury updates, hosting the Miami Dolphins in Week 7, Joe Flacco, and more.
Below is the transcript as provided by the Browns media relations department:
Opening Statement:
“Really good Friday out there. I thought the guys worked really, really hard this week. Crisp out there today, and got to get ready for Sunday, which, as we know, could have different weather than today. So, we don’t control the weather, we deal with it, and we’ll see what it looks like down there Sunday. But, excited to get back in front of our fans. Excited to be down there, having the support when they’re on offense and the noise – our crowd makes it so hard to operate. So, it’ll be nice to be back in front of our fans. So, with that I’ll take any questions.”
What’s Mason Graham’s injury?
“Did something yesterday. We’ll see how it responds, really, over the next 24 hours, 48.”
What was it?
“A knee injury.”
With the two guys in the protocol, Gage (Larvadain) and Jack (Conklin), are they still in there, working their way through?
“Working their way through, both are progressing. As you know, you just follow those progressions, follow the protocols, follow the rules and see where it takes us.”
But obviously they’re questionable, so, there’s a chance?
“Yes.”
How about just having to be without David (Njoku) this game and what he means to you guys?
“Yeah. Obviously, Dave’s a big part of this football team, on and off the field, and the energy that he brings. So, we expect other guys to step up in his absence, but he’ll be there. He’ll be there on the sideline, and he’ll provide that leadership that he always does.”
Is there any long-term concern with Mason’s injury or just day-to-day?
“No. Day-to-day.”
Would that just be more Blake (Whiteheart) without David in there?
“Yeah, we have different options. Obviously, Blake’s a guy that’s played a lot for us over the years, and we trust him.”
Kevin (Stefanski), you know the forecast. How much do you actually prepare for that when you don’t know what the extent might be?
“Yeah, over the years, what I try to do is I look at it early. So really, late Monday, you’re looking at it Tuesday, and then you really don’t do much. You may plan accordingly, but you have to wait until later in the week, because as you know, it just changes so often when you’re that far out. So, when you get into Thursday night, Friday, that’s when you really take a peek. And we’ve played in these games, we’ve played in the cold, we’ve played in the wind, rain, you name it. So, it does affect the football game – it affects both teams equally, it affects certain aspects of the game equally. So, like I said to you guys, and I’ve told the team, we don’t control the weather, we just deal with it.”
I’m curious if you watched Joe Flacco and the (Cincinnati) Bengals last night?
“I did not, no. I’m definitely asleep on Thursday nights.”
I’m sure you heard how he did. Any reaction to the way he played?
“Yeah, obviously, as you know Tom (Withers), you’re always rooting for all of your friends around the league, and that really happens on a lot of teams. But, really mostly focused on our team and what we got in front of us.”
Kevin, given how well Joe did play, there’s obviously a lot of talk about, again, the decision to trade him. And I just want to ask you again – this organization talks about alignment all the time. Were you in alignment with the front office and AB (Andrew Berry) about that trade?
“Yeah. Respectfully, Daniel (Oyefusi), we’re worried about this game in front of us. Got the Miami Dolphins coming to town. That really has all my focus, all of our energies, nothing that’s happening outside.”
Why do you think we didn’t see that version of Joe in his starts here? First game, he didn’t know half the Bengals playbook, then he throws for 350 and a couple of touchdowns.
“Yeah, respectfully, I understand the point, Daryl (Ruiter), but I really have to keep the focus on our team.”
Does it seem like there’s a decent chance that Mike Hall could get out there?
“He continues to get better every single day. So, we’ll see.”
And would that help, especially if, like, Mason can’t go? I mean, would it be nice to have Mike back in there.
“Obviously Mike’s been working so hard, so we’re looking forward to that ASAP.”
I don’t know if you can tell us, but what has held him back the most? Is it mobility? Is it…
“Yeah, I think that’s a real injury – easy for me to say. So, he’s worked very hard to get back. And rehab is a long road, and sometimes there’s twists and turns to it, but he’s every single day getting better, working hard. We just want to make sure that we’re making smart decisions with Mike.”
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