In a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Cleveland Browns faced a challenging 27-12 defeat.
However, the match, along with the joint practices held earlier in the week, provided invaluable opportunities for backups and young players to gain essential experience.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski expressed that the practices and game offered substantial material for player evaluation.
“Some good and back out there that we will certainly learn from,” Stefanski remarked. “Some good stuff to evaluate our players on, but I thought that caps a really good week with the Vikings back to Wednesday and Thursday. Got really, really solid work in. And then this is another piece of it with getting some work done tonight.”
One of the key highlights was running back D’Onta Foreman, who made a strong impression in his first game with the Browns.
Foreman showcased his abilities with a powerful 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, followed by an impressive 27-yard reception in the second quarter. Foreman concluded the game with 10 carries for 18 rushing yards and a touchdown, along with five receptions for 46 receiving yards. Reflecting on his performance, Foreman said:
“I feel like in those situations I got to get in there. Just me with my stature and my frame, me being a bigger back it’s like I take those personal.”
Foreman’s presence on the field was particularly significant after he overcame a neck injury during training camp. The injury had kept him out of the Browns’ first preseason game, but his return was marked by determination and resilience.
“I think it puts a lot into perspective, like how fast life can change and how things can happen,” Foreman shared. “So, to be able to still be healthy and be able to come out here and play the game that I love to play, stuff I’ve been working hard for, I’m just very thankful for that.”
The Browns, however, faced challenges beyond the scoreboard, with injuries to three of their offensive tackles—James Hudson III, Hakeem Adeniji, and Germain Ifedi—adding to their concerns. Stefanski noted that the team would need to assess the extent of these injuries, stating:
“Feel badly for all those guys, and then we’ll rehab and get them back as soon as we can.”
Despite some early struggles in run defense, the Browns showed improvement in the second half, limiting the Vikings’ success on the ground. Stefanski acknowledged the efforts, saying:
“I thought by and large it was good. They ripped off a couple downhill runs. But I think you saw certainly in the second half, maybe the guys did a nice job of staying in their gaps.”
As the Browns continue to prepare for the regular season, the game provided crucial insights into the team’s depth and areas needing improvement.
