BEREA: Quarterback Robert Griffin III will make his preseason debut with the Browns without three or four of the offense’s top wide receivers.
Coach Hue Jackson ruled out rookie first-round draft pick Corey Coleman and Andrew Hawkins for the Browns’ exhibition opener against the Green Bay Packers at 8 p.m. Friday at Lambeau Field.
Coleman has been sidelined since his left hamstring bothered him Friday during a scrimmage. Hawkins suffered a left hamstring injury in practice Aug. 2 and has been out since. Former All-Pro wide receiver Josh Gordon won’t face the Packers because a quadriceps injury has prevented him from practicing during camp.
“Hawk definitely won’t play, and Corey won’t play, either,” Jackson said Wednesday after the 11th practice of camp. “Those guys, we’re going to make sure that they’re exactly where they need to be.”
Wide receiver Terrelle Pryor also may sit out the preseason opener because he suffered a right calf injury during Wednesday’s slow-paced practice. Pryor stopped practicing about midway through the session and had his leg wrapped in ice.
“I think Terrelle will be fine,” Jackson said. “He was practicing and I made a decision to take him out. He wanted to stay out there. My job is to make sure that our players are OK. But I think he’ll be fine, but [not] till the doctors tell me so will I really know.”
“[I pulled him] because he was laboring a little bit. I can tell. He’s willing to fight through it because the guys want to have those opportunities that they’re getting. But at the same time, I have to be smart enough to tell a guy, ‘Hey, we need to back you down.’ ”
So Griffin, who was named the starting quarterback Monday, will need to rely on backup receivers such as Taylor Gabriel, Marlon Moore, Rashard Higgins, Ricardo Louis, Jordan Payton, Rannell Hall and Darius Jennings.
Jackson said he hasn’t solidified how long the starters will play Friday, but he insisted forecasted thunderstorms wouldn’t dictate his decisions.
The coach added he’s “very” eager to see Griffin face a live pass rush for the first time as a member of the Browns.
“I’m really eager to see our whole football team against a different opponent,” Jackson said, “but obviously [to] watch our quarterback under duress when it’s tough, when the other team is really coming after you.”
Talking money
Agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN he spent Tuesday at Browns headquarters discussing with the team whether it would be willing to pay any portion of defensive end Desmond Bryant’s $6 million base salary for 2016 while he’s on the reserve/non-football injury list.
Bryant suffered a season-ending torn pectoral muscle last month while working out on his own in New York, so the Browns aren’t obligated to pay him.
Rosenhaus told ESPN he hasn’t made much progress in his talks with the Browns, but a source familiar with the situation told the Beacon Journal the two sides are working to find a resolution. Bryant is under contract through 2017, when he’s scheduled to make $7 million. But if no resolution is reached, it could lead to the end of his career with the franchise.
Big break
Free safety Jordan Poyer is penciled in as a full-time starter for the first time in his four-year NFL career.
“He’s earned the right to do that,” Jackson said. “He’s a returning player, and he’s had some good moments here. But the consistency of every guy back there needs to improve, and I’ve told them all that. Our goal is to try to make sure nobody catches the ball. So that’s his job. He’s the center fielder back there, so if the ball’s thrown down the middle, he’s got to be back there to make a play, and he’s got to make great tackles.”
Poyer vowed not to take his opportunity to start for granted.
“I want to take hold of it and grasp it and do everything possible I can with it,” Poyer said. “I’m preparing like a starter, and it’s earned. It’s not given. So I definitely want to earn that position.”
Poyer has certainly prepared his body this offseason by adding muscle. He weighs about 194 pounds after playing at about 186 last season.
“I’m probably in the best shape I’ve ever been in,” Poyer said. “It’s good weight.”
Prep showdown
The St. Edward and St. Ignatius high school football teams are scheduled to face each other at 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns are set to host the New York Jets the next day at 1 p.m.
DVR alert
NFL Network’s A Football Life series will feature Browns legendary running back Jim Brown. The episode is scheduled to premiere Nov. 10 after the Browns face the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.