How Browns are taking next man up mentality to another level

The next man up mentality is preached in all of sports, but the 2023 Cleveland Browns (11-6) have taken it to another level ahead of their wild-card matchup against the Texans (10-7) on Saturday.

Per NFL on CBS, the Browns will be the first team since the merger to play a playoff game without their Week 1 starting quarterback (Deshaun Watson), running back (Nick Chubb), left tackle (Jack Conklin) and right tackle (Jedrick Wills).

Watson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in November for a displaced fracture to the glenoid in his right shoulder, which he suffered in Week 10.

Luckily for Cleveland, it took a chance on 38-year-old QB Joe Flacco, who's since led the team to a 4-1 record and locked up the No. 5 seed in the AFC. The 16-year veteran has given the offense new life, throwing for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

The Browns had to quickly move on from Chubb after he suffered a torn MCL and damaged ACL in Week 2. They turned to second-year RB Jerome Ford and soon after reunited with seventh-year RB Kareem Hunt, who have combined for 1,224 yards and 13 touchdowns.

But that wasn't the first major injury of the season. In Week 1, Conklin tore his ACL and MCL. His fellow tackle, Wills, joined him on injured reserve after suffering a MCL injury himself in Week 9.

Cleveland has had some bad injury luck, to say the least, as Watson, Chubb, Conklin and Wills aren't the only four players who have suffered serious injuries this year. Right tackle Dawand Jones, LB Anthony Walker Jr. and safety Grant Delpit, among others, have all been on or are currently on IR.

To make matters worse, head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that three-time Pro Bowl CB Denzel Ward injured his knee in practice on Thursday and his status is now in question for Saturday.

It's been a difficult year for the Browns. But Stefanski believes that all the adversity they've faced this season is a reason why they're in the spot they are in.

"We're better off for everything we've been through," Stefanski said. "We've had guys that have had to play quite a bit and I think that serves you well."