Who's Not Playing for Browns in Week 6 Matchup with the Ravens?

A assortment of key injuries have been loomed large over the Cleveland Browns this week ahead of a critical matchup with their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens. 

Three key starters: Quinshon Judkins, Carson Schwesinger and Mason Graham entered Sunday with a questionable designation. Of that group, only Schwesinger, despite the fact that he only practices on Friday this week and was limited due to an ankle injury, will play. 

Like Schwesinger, Judkins has been battling an ankle injury this week that he sufferd in Week 5. The decision to hold him out comes after the second-round pick went through an extensive pre-game workout routine to test out the ankle in front of members of the team's medical staff, running backs coach Duce Staley and GM Andrew Berry. That group ultimately determined to hold him out. 

Without Judkins, the Browns will trot out a running back room that consists of 2023 undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin and 2024 fifth-round pick Audric Estime, neither of whom were with the team for training camp this summer. 

Graham, who has been working his way back from a knee injury suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4 practiced for the first time in two weeks on Friday, but early morning reports indicated he was unlikely to make his on-field return this week as the Browns ramp him up cautiously. 

Without Graham a week ago, Cleveland still had plenty of success getting to the quarterback, sacking New York Jets signal caller Geno Smith four times in a 17-12 loss. The Browns defensive front faces a different challenge this week in Ravens star running back Derrick Henry. Containing the cruising back could be made tougher without the presence of Graham.

In Graham's absence, the Browns used both of their weekly practice squad elevations to bolster their defensive line depth, promoting DTs Sam Kamara and Chris Williams. Both are active for Week 6.

Additionally, veteran DE Derek Barnett is active after battling an ankle injury and missing multiple days of practice this week. He did practice on Friday in a limited capacity but is cleared to play. 

Cleveland's full list of inactives includes: 

QB Taylen Green (Emergency 3rd QB)
RB Quinshon Judkins 
CB Noah Igbinoghene
DT Mike Hall Jr.
G Teven Jenkins
C Parker Brailsford
DT Mason Graham

While the Browns will look to overcome a number of critical injuries, the Baltimore deals with a major loss of its own as star quarterback Lamar Jackson won't play for a second straight week. 

The Browns and Ravens kick things off around 1 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field with first place in the AFC North on the line.