Browns sign wideout off Vikings practice squad a day too late

The Cleveland Browns will now have depth at the wide receiver position in Week 17.  

Remember the number 53. Think about, ponder with it, have it locked in your brain. Got it? Good.

That’s how many times Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski asked Baker Mayfield to throw on Sunday. It was also without his top four wide receiver options and limited practice with the third-stringers.

Naturally, the Browns lost to the New York Jets, 23-16. That at least had GM Andrew Berry looking for a receiver to join the staff for next week.

The Browns announced the team added wide receiver Alexander Hollins from the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. Although it’s great that Stefanski has worked with Hollins in the past, it might be a game too late.

For his career, Hollins has made two receptions for 46 yards.

A loss to the Jets is not the end of the world for Cleveland 

The Jets surprisingly have been good at containing the run. Although Quinnen Williams wasn’t active, the team limited both Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb to 39 yards on the afternoon. Add in little to nothing at wide receiver and of course Mayfield’s 5.3 passing yards per attempt was going to be an issue.

The Browns secondary has been susceptible to big plays all season. That allowed Sam Darnold, who’s making the case to remain the starter in 2021, to throw for 175 yards and two scores without a turnover.

Cleveland is finally good, albeit flawed at football overall. Then again, what team outside of the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t? A 10-win season is a great starting point for the Browns’ future, but they’re a win away from ending an 18-year playoff drought.

Stefanski stated that barring any setbacks, the team expects all four receivers back in time for their Week 17 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The steel curtain defense might cause troubles for Mayfield in the pass rush and coverage downfield.

A loss to the Jets will sting, but it’s not the end of the world. Any receiver help at this point is better than nothing.