The Cleveland Browns continue to work out the issues of their roster as they try and find hidden stars in their depth. That is not working for the run game as Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell have both faced plenty of criticism so far this training camp, but it might be true for the wide receiver group. With rising stars in Travis Benjamin and Andrew Hawkins, could the injury to Terrelle Pryor force his release?
Pryor is working to make the Browns' roster as a receiver and not a quarterback, a task proving easier said than done as an injury is derailing his progress. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Pryor re-injured a hamstring that has been plaguing him for much of this preseason. The wide receiver was getting positive reviews for his play at the new position, but has not been on the field since getting injured earlier in the month. The receiver is expected to miss the next preseason game and could find himself a roster cut as a result.
Head coach Mike Pettine told the media that Pryor is not guaranteed a roster spot with the change of position, but he is also not being written off because of the injury. The Browns have several players dealing with soft tissue muscle problems and Pettine note that it is something the Browns are doing their best to manage.
"It's tough," Pettine said, via the Akron Beacon Journal. "I think everybody in the league is trying to solve the soft-tissue riddle . We feel that our protocol is tried-and-true, and unfortunately we're still ending up with some [muscle] pulls. It's just something we're constantly in a state of evaluation, but we stress to our guys you've got to eat right, sleep well and make sure we're hydrated. But it is a source of frustration."
The fall of Pryor has been met with the rise of other receivers on the roster. Brian Hartline and Dwayne Bowe are penciled in as the top two guys, causing competition for the reserve positions. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Benjamin is set for a big year as he excels in both the receiving and special teams areas. Quarterback Josh McCown has been thrilled with what the receiver has been playing like this year as he predicts big things for his teammate.
"Trav, he's a pro,'' McCown said, via Cleveland.com. "He just comes out and works hard, doesn't say a whole lot. He's got a great skillset as far as his speed.
Taylor Gabriel and Andrew Hawkins are also competing for time on the field Gabriel has been catching touchdown passes during training camp as he continues to excel with the arm of McCown. If Pryor cannot get on the field soon, these players will push him out.