Cleveland Browns veteran cornerback Sheldon Brown was active on Sunday, playing one play, which kept his consecutive games played streak in tact at 162.
Missing most of the week’s practices due to a shoulder injury, Brown did not start in Sunday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals; second-year cornerback Buster Skrine drew coverage opposite of Dimitiri Patterson. Taking up one of the spots on the team’s active roster, it appears that this decision was made solely out of respect for Brown.
“I’ve mentioned it before,” said Browns head coach Pat Shurmur on Monday afternoon. ”I’ve been with Sheldon a long time and I’m a big Sheldon Brown fan, and I’m his coach.
“He was in the game. Those are important things to him as an individual. I think if you ask an unselfish guy like Sheldon, he will tell you, he would give up a streak for a victory. I think that’s what you’d get from him.”
The Browns defensive backfield, without Brown and the suspended Joe Haden, had a rough afternoon, giving up several long pass plays for touchdowns. Shurmur stated that Brown has improved and his role will be different in the coming weeks, and that his shoulder injury will not likely be an issue going forward. The team may also opt to play rookie cornerback Trevin Wade on the outside, keeping the slightly smaller Skrine in the slot.
[Related: Browns’ Young Secondary Still Has Potential Despite Rough Day]
