Deshaun Watson on Sluggish Offense: "The Opportunity is Right There in Front of Us"

BEREA, Ohio -- After leading the Browns on three-straight fourth quarter drives to win the game, Deshaun Watson and the offense took a step back in the loss to the Jets. Watson did lead the Browns to a drive to take the lead in the fourth quarter, but after the Browns fell behind, could not rally them on three late attempts.

The Browns are averaging 18.6 points a game, tied for 27th in the NFL

Watson was asked what the offense can do to get going.

"It's a long season," Watson said before practice on Wednesday. "Some opportunities right in front of us. We can't dwell on what happened Sunday. We watch the tape on Monday, 24-hour rule, have an off day Tuesday, and then come in today and focus on the next opponent.

"The opportunity is right there in front of us, and we got to put in the work throughout the week, so we're prepared to have a chance to go for that opportunity on Sunday."

After five games, Watson's QB rating is still 94.1, which is eighth in the NFL. ESPN's Total QBR has him at 48.4, which is 21st in the NFL.

Through five games, Watson is 95-of-148 for 1,010 with a completion percentage of 64.2 percent. He has seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He has been sacked 19 times and has lost two fumbles

Watson continues to be effective running and is second on the team with 37 rushes for 167 yards (4.5 avg.), including a long of 21 yards, which is the second longest run for the Browns this season.

The Browns are 29th in the NFL in offense, averaging 273.6 yards a game. The Browns are 21st in rushing, averaging 94.2 yards a game, while rank 26th in the NFL in passing, averaging 179.4 yards a game.

The Ravens are 4-1, but their defense is allowing 325.6 yards a game (No. 14 in the NFL). They are 12th in rushing defense (102.0) and 18th in passing defense (223.6).

The Ravens have allowed 23-, 18-, 31-, 24- and 23-points a game for an average 23.8 points a game, 19th in the NFL.

Todd Monken said the Ravens defensive scheme is different under Jesse Minter and a new coaching staff, but the personnel he is familiar with, is similar.

"Oh, it's changed dramatically in terms of – I think the league has changed dramatically in terms of defensive coordinators' approaches to the way the game has changed in terms of analytics, and offenses taking four downs and their approach being more aggressive," Monken said. "But the personnel is very similar. They've added some pieces, but the personnel is still very similar."

Watson was sacked eight times last Sunday and he was asked what will it take to get that corrected.

"Just make sure we're all on the same page and we're communicating and we're on one line," he said. "We can operate a little bit faster and pick things up. We just all got on the same page. That's pretty much it."

The Browns have played five games together as an offense, but Watson said it was just a work in progress.

"Just more reps, more opportunities we get, communication throughout the week, watching film together, seeing what we're seeing, basically communicating what I'm seeing and what they're seeing, and just trying to be on the same page as much as possible," he said. "So again, we have five new guys, two of them rookies, three guys from different schemes. We just put them all in one, and we just try to communicate and try to be on the same page as much as possible."

The Browns have had an inconsistent rushing game all season, which has not helped the offense.

"It is definitely helpful, overall, not for the quarterback position, but for the whole team," Watson said. "Being able to run the ball is definitely one of the hardest things you have to do in this league, is to be able to run the ball. But when you can do that, it opens up a lot of other things for sure."

The Browns will be challenged in the running game if Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson are unable to play. Judkins injured his ankle against the Jets and has been in a walking boot, while Sampson was just designed to return to practice after missing the past four games with a knee injury. He did not practice on Wednesday. Raheim Sanders was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday with a hip injury and the Browns signed running back Audric Estime to the active roster from the Vikings' practice squad.

Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin are the only two running backs on the roster that were not on the injured list on Wednesday.

If Judkins and Sampson cannot play on Sunday, the Browns won't have a running back who was with the team in training camp.

"Well, it's part of the next man up. Right?" Monken said. "That's why you keep bringing in players and getting them up to speed, and we'll see, as the week goes on, who we'll have available."

The Browns also have running back Jaret Patterson on the practice squad.

Concepcion Back at practice: Only three days after being knocked out of the Jets game with a blow to the head by S Minkah Fitzpatrick. Concepcion regained consciousness and walked off the field and went to the locker room/ He was quickly ruled out for the game.

"Just from a player's health perspective, it's cool that it wasn't worse than it was, and so that's probably the biggest thing from a health standpoint," Monken said.

Concepcion remained in the concussion protocol Wednesday and was listed as limited. Concepcion, the No. 24 pick in April, has 18 catches for 149 yards, with no touchdowns.

Walking Wounded: Both teams combined for 36 players on the Wednesday injury report, despite both teams having played five games The Browns had 17 players listed, including five starters not practicing on Wednesday due to injury, including RB Quinshon Judkins (ankle), LB Carson Schwesinger (ankle) DE, DT Maliek Collins (foot), DT Mason Graham (knee, ankle), and OT Tytus Howard (knee).

Others not practicing were DT Mike Hall (ankle), DE Derek Barnett (ankle), G Teven Jenkins (back) and TE Carsen Ryan (calf).

Monken said he has not ruled any player out.

"We're not going to rule anybody in or out today, but we've got a number of guys dealing with some minor issues, and we'll see today and the rest of the week."

The Ravens had 19 listed on their injury report, including QB Lamar Jackson (ankle), who did not practice.

Designated for Return: In addition RB Dylan Sampson has been designated for return and is eligible to return to practice. Sampson was on the field for the first time on Wednesday, but he did not practice.

Monken was asked if Sampson could play on Sunday.

"I think there's a chance," he said. "He'll be out there today, and we're excited that his window has been opened."

RB Raheim Sanders was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday with a hip injury and will miss at least four games. RB Audric Estime was signed off of the Vikings' practice squad and practiced on Wednesday for the first time.