CLEVELAND — The Browns’ thin wide receiving corps got even thinner during pregame warmups Sunday when Donte Stallworth pulled up lame with a strained groin.
Stallworth’s injury, coupled with the absences of Joshua Cribbs (sprained ankle) and Joe Jurevicius (knee surgery), left Cleveland with few pass-catching options in its 28-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
“When we heard about Donte right before the game, we were like, ‘Oh, man’” Browns running back Jamal Lewis said. “Things happen like that in the NFL, but we just didn’t play together because of all the injuries we’ve had on offense.”
Compounding matters, Pro Bowl wideout Braylon Edwards returned after missing a month with a spiked foot, but was a non-factor. He caught two passes for 14 yards, flat-out dropped three others and was largely to blame for one more missed connection with quarterback Derek Anderson.
“Even without Donte, we still played bad,” said Edwards, who accepted responsibility for two drops. “We weren’t ready and we weren’t on the same page today. It was everybody — D.A., myself.”
The only other healthy receivers on the roster were Syndric Steptoe and Cleveland native Steve Sanders, both of whom made their NFL debuts after extended time on the Browns’ practice squad. Steptoe got the start opposite Edwards and made one reception, while Sanders also had one catch.
Even with tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. assuming a spot in the slot, the situation was so dire that Steptoe was removed from kickoff return duties because the team couldn’t risk another injury.
“It was an honor to be in that position,” Steptoe said of being spelled on returns by Gerard Lawson. “Coach (Romeo) Crennel always says to prepare like you’re a starter, whatever the situation is. I give all praise to God because I did that and I got to be the starter for real.”

Brownie bits

Winslow scored the team’s first touchdown of the season on a 2-yard pass from Anderson. “K2” finished with five catches for 47 yards, while the rest of the team combined for six receptions for 67. Winslow declined all interview requests after the game.
• Steptoe averaged 11.5 yards on two punt returns and 20.3 yards on three kickoff runbacks. Lawson gained 29 yards on his only official kick return.
• Anderson fumbled twice and connected on 11 of 24 passes for 114 yards. He failed to complete a pass in the third quarter when Cleveland was outgained 167-38, and ended the game by going
3-for-13 for 39 yards.

Cowboy clips

Terrell Owens had five receptions for 87 yards, including the 130th receiving touchdown of his career to tie Cris Carter for second place in NFL history.
• Marion Barber exited with bruised ribs after rushing for 80 yards and two TDs on 16 carries.

Mystifying move

Crennel opted to try a 34-yard field goal with 10:13 left in the fourth quarter, even though the Browns were trailing 28-7. Phil Dawson made the kick, which still left Cleveland three touchdowns behind.
“I wanted points on the board, so I took the points on the board,” the coach said. “There were 10 minutes left in the quarter and if you don’t make it, then where do you go?”
Crennel also eschewed an onside kick on the subsequent play, allowing Dallas to launch a 16-play, 67-yard drive that ran out the remainder of the clock.

Out of action

Safety Brodney Pool (concussion), guard Ryan Tucker (hip) and Cribbs were inactive for the Browns, along with linebacker Kris Griffin (elbow), guard Rex Hadnot (knee), tight end Martin Rucker (knee) and defensive end Ahtyba Rubin.
•  Dallas’ injury inactives were wide receivers Sam Hurd (ankle) and Miles Austin (knee), cornerback Terrance Newman (groin), guard Kyle Kosier (foot) and linebacker Anthony Spencer (knee).

Extra points

The Browns lead the all-time series with the Cowboys 15-11, including a 9-4 edge in Cleveland. They are one of just five teams holding an advantage over Dallas.
• With the Cowboys now having played their first game at Cleveland Browns Stadium, the only teams that have yet to do so are Green Bay and Minnesota. Both will come to the North Coast in 2009.
• Cavaliers superstar LeBron James played catch on the field before the game, making several 50-yard throws. Among the players to greet him was controversial Dallas cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones.
• A crowd of 73,012 was on hand, extending the Browns’ home sellout streak to 73 straight games.
Contact Brian Dulik at (330) 721-4059 or brisports@hotmail.com.

---

Print this story
Report an inappropriate comment

---

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.

Need help? Email Us.

---