CLEVELAND-- News and notes from the Browns 23-7 loss to Houston.
Dansby, Sheard Injured: LB Karlos Dansby left in the second quarter with a knee injury and didn't return. A press box announcement early in the third quarter said he was out of the game. If Dansby is out for extended time will be a big blow to the defense.
After Dansby's injury, LB Jabaal Sheard left with an ankle injury.
Pettine said that Dansby and Sheard will have MRI's on Monday. Dansby had four tackles, while Sheard had three before leaving.
Sackless: The Browns wanted to put pressure on QB Ryan Mallett, but ended up with no sacks and two hurries.
Brian's Game: QB Brian Hoyer finished just 20-of-50 for 330 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His rating was 61.2 and he was sacked twice.
The Hawk: WR Andrew Hawkins returned after missing last week's game and led the Browns with six receptions for 97 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown. WR Taylor Gabriel had five catches for 92 yards, while WR Miles Austin had just three receptions for 31 yards. He had a pass go off his hands that was intercepted by the Texans in the fourth quarter.
The Crow: RB Isaiah Crowell got his first start and had 14 carries for 61 yards, including a 35-yard run in the first quarter. Crowell received most of the first half carries but fumbled inside the Texans' 20 near the end of the first half. The Texans then moved the ball 78 yards to take a 14-7 lead with just 23 seconds to play in the first half.
"We weren't going to not play him," Pettine said. "The fumble was unfortunate. Isaiah ran pretty hard."
Last week, RB Terrance West carried the ball 26 times for 94 yards. This week, West had just five carries for 12 yards, while RB Ben Tate had just two attempts for -9 yards against his former team.
As a team, the Browns had just 58 yards rushing on 24 carries (2.4 avg.).
Mallett Delivers: QB Ryan Mallett was effective in his first start and finished 20-of-30 for 211 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Mallett threw his first touchdown to DE J.J. Watt. His rating was 95.3.
"They had a good game plan for him," Pettine said. "They ran the ball well."
JJ the Receiver: DE J.J. Watt caught a two-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. It was his second offensive touchdown scored this season. He also had an interception returned for a touchdown this season and a fumble recovered for a touchdown.
Joe's Pick: DB Joe Haden saved a scoring chance from the Texans when he intercepted a pass from QB Ryan Mallett in the end zone after tipping the ball up from WR DeAndre Hopkins. Haden led the Browns with 13 tackles and an interception.
Romeo, Romeo: Former Browns head coach Romeo Crennel is the Texans' defensive coordinator.
Browns safety Tashaun Gipson started and played after missing most of the week going through the NFL's concussion protocol after suffering a concussion last week against the Bengals.
Gipson finished with seven tackles.
Inactive for the Browns were DB Johnson Bademosi, DB Pierre Desire, RB Glenn Winston, OL Vinston Painter, TE Jordan Cameron, WR Rodney Smith and LB Keith Pough.
Cameron missed his third-straight game since suffering a concussion against the Raiders.
Jim Dray started in place of Cameron at tight end and had two catches for 46 yards.
Inactive for the Texans were RB Arian Foster, who will sat with a groin injury, QB Tom Savage, WR DeVier Posey, CB Kareem Jackson, S Josh Aubrey, LB Max Bullough and T Jeff Adams.
