News

Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver Josh Gordon is expected to start his fourth career game this afternoon against the Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Gordon started the season-opener against the Philadelphia Eagles (Sept. 9), the home game against the Buffalo Bills (Sept. 23) and last week at the New York Giants (Oct. 7). He has nine catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns on the season.

Last week at the Giants, Gordon caught two passes for 82 yards and both receptions went for touchdowns. He is expected to start in place of Mohamed Massaquoi and Travis Benjamin. Massaquoi was declared “out” on Friday’s injury report and Benjamin was “doubtful.” Both players have hamstring injuries.

In addition to Massaquoi and Benjamin, the Browns have deactivated defensive backs Dimitri Patterson and Tashaun Gipson, offensive lineman Ryan Miller, defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin and linebacker Scott Fujita for today’s game.

Like Massaquoi, Patterson (ankle) and Gipson (knee) were declared “out” on Friday’s injury report.

Rookie John Hughes will start his first career game at defensive tackle in place of Rubin, while fellow first-year Brown, James-Michael Johnson will start his first game in place of Fujita.

The Bengals have deactivated wide receivers Mohamed Sanu and Ryan Whalen, cornerbacks Jason Allen and Dre Kirkpatrick, safety George Iloka, defensive tackle Branden Thompson and tight end Richard Quinn.

Robert Geathers will start at left defensive end for Carlos Dunlap, who is active for the game. Terence Newman will start at left cornerback for Nate Clements, who will play at strong safety for Taylor Mays.