LANDOVER, Md.: The Browns wasted a superb performance by running back Isaiah Crowell in Sunday’s 31-20 loss to Washington at FedExField.
Crowell had 15 carries for 112 yards (7.5 average) and a touchdown to go along with three catches for 22 yards.
“I think he’s one of the better backs in this league,” coach Hue Jackson said. “He’s playing good. I still think there’s more in there, and he’s got a chance to be a phenomenal player. He’s got to keep working at it and got to find a way to not get tired, standing next to me, ‘Get my oxygen tank’ because he’s playing good, boy.”
Crowell has a team-high 386 rushing yards this season, the most by a Browns player through the first four games of a season since Jim Brown had 476 in 1965. Crowell is also the first Browns player to record at least 60 rushing yards in each of the first four games since Earnest Byner in 1985.
“Feed the Crow. That’s all I’ve got to say. I say keep giving him the rock,” left guard Joel Bitonio said. “He’s playing really well. I think this offense has been suited for him and coach Jackson really likes what he’s been doing. He’s been hitting those holes pretty hard. Anytime we run the ball, I love it. Let’s run the ball as much as we can.”
The Browns rushed 28 times for 163 yards (5.8 average). Duke Johnson added nine carries for 53 yards (5.8 average). They have rushed for at least 120 yards in four consecutive games for the first time since 2009 and have tallied a touchdown run in four consecutive games for the first time since 2012.
Crowell led the league in rushing yards after Sunday’s afternoon games.
“I feel like I haven’t scratched the surface of what I’m really capable of,” Crowell said. “I trust coach, and I know he believes in me and I appreciate that.
“This is my third year, so I feel like I’m kind of more comfortable, and I feel like I’m getting more opportunities. So I appreciate my coaches for trusting me.”
Upheaval on O-line
Center Austin Reiter started in his NFL regular-season debut and performed well until he suffered a left knee injury with 3:14 left in the fourth quarter. He left the stadium on crutches, and Jackson said the injury “doesn’t look good at this point.” Reiter will undergo an MRI on Monday.
“That’s pretty impressive stuff, the way he came out there and played and fought,” Bitonio said. “[That’s an] unfortunate way to go down.”
After Reiter was injured, John Greco moved from right guard to center. Rookie Spencer Drango came off the bench to fill in at right guard.
With center Cameron Erving (bruised lung) sidelined, Greco moved from right guard to center last week, and Alvin Bailey started at right guard.
However, Bailey was benched against Washington for disciplinary reasons. He was arrested early Sept. 26 and cited by North Royalton police for operating a vehicle impaired, speeding, driving an unsafe vehicle (cracked windshield), drug abuse, drug paraphernalia and failure to comply.
“I’m not going to put up with foolishness with any of our players,” Jackson said. “We are going to do things right and that’s what’s important. ... When people step out of line, there’s consequences.”
The Browns have started three different centers in each of the past three games.
The fallout
The Browns talked to other teams about trading Josh Gordon as recently as last week, ESPN reported Sunday, but those discussions came to a screeching halt when the troubled former All-Pro wide receiver announced Thursday he would enter in-patient rehabilitation.
The Browns ultimately plan to part with Gordon. He’s been suspended for 31 of the past 36 games because of recurring violations of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.
Gordon’s four-game suspension to begin this season had been scheduled to end Monday, but he obviously had a misstep or missteps that led him to rehab and derailed his comeback.
A source told Cleveland.com Gordon, 25, entered rehab because of an alcohol problem.
The Browns were seeking a first- or second-day draft pick for Gordon, according to ESPN, before any deal became unrealistic. The first, second and third rounds of the draft are held during its first two days. The new regime’s trade talks regarding Gordon date back to this past summer.
Holding head up
Cornerback Jamar Taylor recorded his second interception in as many games. The four-year veteran entered the season with no career interceptions.
Taylor credited defensive coordinator Ray Horton for putting him in good positions and added, “The game is slowing down for me a lot now that I’m a fourth-year guy.”
Taylor also has faith in the winless Browns.
“Everybody comes in and they think they’re going to just beat us, and we give them a fight,” he said. “As long as we keep doing that and keep hammering at the nail and let the outside noise just be the outside noise, I think we’ll turn this thing around because we have one hell of a team, and I know that for sure.”
Extra points
• Cornerback Joe Haden (groin) started after sitting out last week in Miami.
• Rookie Derrick Kindred started at strong safety in place of Ibraheim Campbell (inactive with hamstring injury).
• Outside linebacker Corey Lemonier started despite being listed as doubtful Saturday because of a personal matter.
• Outside Cam Johnson, signed Saturday off Arizona’s practice squad, compiled his first two career sacks.