The Browns and Rams will take part in their third preseason game on Aug. 23, each with two earlier wins under their belts.
The match-up on Saturday will look slightly different than previous preseason games, as the Browns are planning on playing their starters. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said he expects that the starters will get about 20-25 plays each.
"There will be some guys that get out of there a little bit sooner than others," Stefanski said. "But it's really individualized playing for each guy, but you will see the starters out there."
For the Browns, QB Joe Flacco will start Cleveland off, with QB Dillon Gabriel playing second and QB Shedeur Sanders set to take reps third.
For the Rams, QB Dresser Winn will earn his first start of the preseason. Rams head coach Sean McVay said TE Terrance Ferguson will also play in his first NFL game after missing the first two preseason games with a groin injury. Ferguson will see a familiar face on the opposing sideline in first former teammate at Oregon in Gabriel.
Although it is confirmed that Browns starters will be getting playing time, McVay was undecided as of Aug. 21. McVay said he was still working through who will be traveling to Huntington Bank Field.
"It's a big important chance for our guys to be able to finish out the preseason the right way against Cleveland and we look forward to it," McVay said.
The Rams will also be without G Willie Lampkins due to an ankle injury and QB Matthew Stafford who is still recovering from a back injury. Stafford was a full participant in the Rams' practices throughout the final week of the preseason.
Even if not all of their starters play in the preseason finale, McVay will still utilize the matchup to assess some depth pieces in the process of narrowing down the 53-man roster.
"We have a good idea of what a handful of things look like just based on how we approach the preseason," McVay said. "But I think Cleveland provides a good opportunity to continue to evaluate guys. […] I'm looking forward to watching a handful of guys compete because there's still some spots to be determined."
