Why Joe Flacco is no longer ‘just a guy with a beard’
Joe Flacco no longer has something in common with Santa Claus, or Kevin Stefanski for that matter.
He showed up for work on Wednesday without the signature salt and pepper beard that had Browns players saying he looked like his head coach and Myles Garrett calling him Stefanski’s long lost brother.
With four defensive players having been ruled out on Friday, there were not many surprises with the Cleveland Browns inactive list as defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (torn pec), safety Juan Thornhill (calf), linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk (calf) and linebacker Anthony Walker (knee) were already ruled out.
The only other player designated with a game status on Friday was guard Joel Bitonio, who was questionable with a back injury.
Bitonio is active and will start at left guard. Bitonio joins center Ethan Pocic back in the starting lineup after Pocic was inactive last week against the Bears and Bitonio left with back spasms midway through the first quarter.
On Saturday, the Browns elevated safety Tanner McCalister and linebacker Charlie Thomas from the practice squad. McCalister and Thomas were added to the active roster for the second-straight week McCalister will wear No. 48, while Thomas is wearing No. 35.
Thornhill has missed the last three games, as has Okoronkwo. Walker is missing his second-straight game, as is Kunaszyk.
The other inactive players for the Browns are cornerback Kahlef Hailassie, center Luke Wypler and defensive end Isaiah McGuire
15 players were on opening day rosters when the season kicks off this weekend and 10 of those players came from Mississippi high schools with three more coming from the Mississippi Junior College system.
Another seven players are currently on practice squad rosters with more potentially being signed soon. Let’s take a look at who to look out for when watching the big games this weekend.
This week, Denico Autry and Montez Sweat continued their incredible seasons with two more sacks, Gay had his first interception of the year and more.
With the NFL season is in full swing, there are plenty of Mississippi State players not only taking part in it but starring on the biggest stage.
Last season, Chris Jones and Willie Gay Jr. took home the Super Bowl trophy as the Kansas City Chiefs won it all for the second time in Jones’ career. The two won the title over two more former Bulldog greats in Fletcher Cox and Darius Slay and the four standouts will be fighting to get back to that same spot once again with their teams this year.
Two new faces will be on the field this season for State as cornerback Emmanuel Forbes and defensive tackle Cameron Young were drafted and will play a factor on defense for Washington and Seattle respectively.
