Robert Turbin learned the importance of patience during his college days.

Then, it applied to his running style. Now, as a fourth-year professional, it applies to just about everything in Turbin's life as a veteran presence in Cleveland's running backs room.

Firstly, it was something Turbin had to exercise over the past month as he anxiously awaited his Browns debut. Because of his severely sprained ankle, Turbin knew it'd take some time upon his arrival in Cleveland, but the final couple of weeks were the toughest to swallow.

"That part of it can get frustrating," Turbin said. "It felt good to finally be able to come out and play."

Turbin made his Browns debut Sunday on the team's first offensive play of the second quarter. He gained 6 yards on his first carry and finished with 27 on 10 attempts. The ball was in Turbin's hands or directed Turbin's way on 11 of his 18 snaps.

With Turbin added to the mix, Cleveland's trio of running backs, which included mainstays Duke Johnson Jr. and Isaiah Crowell, averaged 10 carries apiece on a day in which the Browns ran for 109 yards against the Broncos.

"It felt good," Turbin said. "I was really excited to get out there with my teammates. Waited a while, a long time. To be able to come out and have some fun and be in a game like this with my team, it felt great."

The ending, of course, was not, and Turbin was front and center about his role in Cleveland coming up short in overtime.

Turbin bobbled a pitch on first down from Denver's 39-yard line after Barkevious Mingo intercepted Peyton Manning early in the overtime period. Turbin held onto the ball but ultimately lost 2 yards. The Browns never moved forward on the three-and-out and were forced to punt.

Cleveland never got the ball back.

"I didn't look it in fully and I take full responsibility for that," Turbin said. "Obviously, the ball comes first. My attention wanted to be on what was I going to do next. I could feel the defense coming in and making a play. They read it well."

Turbin knows situations like Sunday's will present themselves again. He saw them play out repeatedly during his three seasons in Seattle behind All-Pro Marshawn Lynch. He called it "magical" the way Lynch was able to close out games with tough yards and crucial third downs.

Turbin is imploring his group to step up and help the Browns avoid the late-game drama it's experienced over the past few weeks.

"There have been multiple games where it's come down to this, where it's come down to those guys," Turbin said. "I tell the guys, 'hey, this is the time running backs have to take over. What do you got? Can we hold the ball? Can we move the chains? Can we get first downs?' It's on us and the linemen but it's not even always about the offensive linemen, it's about us. What kind of special plays can we make in those situations to keep the chains moving?"