Browns quick hits: Who's the Patriots' QB? That's the big question for defense

BEREA − The biggest personnel question for the Browns defense in their preparations for the New England Patriots is at the most important position on the field.

Will it be Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe taking the snaps, at least to start, on Sunday afternoon? The Browns aren't likely to know for certain until, at the earliest, until the week's almost concluded.

So that means most of their preparations have to deal with the potential of seeing either quarterback.

"We have to prepare for both guys," coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday. "We saw Mac Jones last year, so we know what he's capable of. I think this young quarterback [Zappe], I'm very, very impressed with what they've done with him and how he's operating right now for them."

Jones, the Patriots' 2021 first-round draft pick, suffered an ankle injury in their Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He hasn't played the past two weeks as the Patriots have split games against the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.

That's opened the door to Zappe, who came in during the loss to the Packers in Week 4 after the original backup, former Browns quarterback and Cleveland native Brian Hoyer, left with a concussion. The rookie out of Western Kentucky completed 17 of 21 passes for 188 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the 29-0 win over the Lions last Sunday.

"Yeah, I hadn't heard of him," safety John Johnson III said, "but like you said, he put up a good game, managed the game and definitely going to work together with that run game so it's not something we can sleep on."

That's because there's no indication one way or the other who Patriots coach Bill Belichick will start on Sunday. Both players practiced on Wednesday, although Jones was limited, at least during the time open to the New England media.

Belichick was his usual coy self when asked about Jones' status against the Browns prior to practice.

"We'll see," Belichick told New England media. "We'll see what he looks like today. Go from there."

One media member asked Belichick about similarities between Jones and Zappe. His response, "How are they similar? Both are right-handed."

The challenge for the Browns this week is to find similarity between the offense the Patriots run with Jones in there and the one when Zappe's taking the snaps.

"I'd imagine it's a little bit more run heavy," Johnson said of when Zappe's in there, "but I feel like they're going to go out there and try to attack a team the same way. They've done a great job of seeing what a team doesn't do well and attacking that, so that's what I imagine we're going to get."

Jadeveon Clowney. Joel Bitonio resting non-significant injuries on Wednesday

The list of Browns players who sat out Wednesday's practice included some big names. That list featured left guards Joel Bitonio (elbow), defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (ankle, knee, elbow), receiver Amari Cooper (rest), safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. (illness) and cornerback Denzel Ward (concussion).

Clowney's presence wasn't necessarily a surprise considering he just returned to game reps last Sunday after missing two games due to an ankle injury. It was the addition of knee and elbow to the report that raised some concern.

Stefanski, though, wasn't among those concerned.

“He is going to rest today," Stefanski said. "He plays through a lot of things, as you know. He is resting, and he is recovering.”

Greedy Williams on track to return to active roster against New England

Cornerback Greedy Williams was designated to return from the injury list last Wednesday. However, despite practicing, he was not activated from the list against the Chargers.

Stefanski indicated that Williams will likely make his season debut this week. He went on the list on Sept. 9, two days before the season opener, with a hamstring injury.

“I think it is trending that way," Stefanski said. "Again, just got back to practice next week. I want to give him the chance to get through these next few days, but he looks good.”

Browns get look at AFC's Defensive Player of the Week, Patriots' Matthew Judon

The Browns don't need an introduction to Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon. They knew him very well over his five seasons playing for AFC North rival Ravens from 2016-20.

They don't even need an introduction to the New England version of Judson. The Browns watched him hit Baker Mayfield three times and combine with Donte Hightower on a sack during last year's 45-7 loss in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Judon is coming off a week during the win over the Lions in which he recorded three tackles, two sacks, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble. That helped him win the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

"He's obviously a freak," quarterback Jacoby Brissett said. "He's everything Belichick wants in a player. Does everything well, the task that he needs to do. Can move him around everywhere. Tough, physical. That's their team. That's the motto of their team. That's evident when you turn on the film that that's still the mindset there."

Judon is the only player in the league with a sack in each of the first five games this season.

Browns get a look a new-look Patriots offense without Josh McDaniels

The last time the Browns played the Patriots, they rolled up 45 points and 452 total yards. Jones completed 19 of 23 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns, and Rhamondre Stevenson ran for 100 yards and two scores.

The architect of that Patriots offense, Canton native Josh McDaniels, is no longer there. McDaniels is now the coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, his second stint as a head coach.

The Patriots have stuck with familiar faces, though, to guide the offense. Matt Patricia, formerly their defensive coordinator before a failed stint as coach of the Lions, has been ostensibly the offensive coordinator, even if his official title is senior football advisor/offensive line coach. Joe Judge, back where he had been the special-teams coach before a disappointing stint as coach of the New York Giants, is listed as the offensive assistant/quarterbacks coach.

The exact power structure for the Patriots' offense may be unknown to those outside of their facility. However, Stefanski likes what he sees out of whoever's offense it may actually be in New England.

"They have some really good, talented coaches," Stefanski said, "and I think you can see them putting together some really good plans where the run game marries up with the pass game. You have to defend the run obviously just with how physical they are, but they certainly know how to scheme guys open in the pass game off of that run game.”

Browns designated Deion Jones to return from injured reserve, sign Miller Forristall to practice squad

The Browns made three moves official Wednesday morning, including designating recently-acquired linebacker Deion Jones to return from the injured reserve list.

Jones was acquired from the Atlanta Falcons along with a 2024 seventh-round pick on Sunday evening in exchange for 2024 sixth-round pick. A former Pro Bowler, Jones started the season on injured reserve after offseason shoulder surgery.

The Browns also made the waiving of defensive back Thomas Graham Jr. official, who they then signed on Thursday to the practice squad They brought back tight end Miller Forristall to the practice squad after he cleared waivers.

Defensive tackle David Moore was released from the practice squad Thursday.

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns preparing for both Patriots QBs Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe