JuJu Smith-Schuster Shades The Hell Out Of Browns Before Game ... 'Nameless, Gray Faces'

If the Steelers thought JuJu Smith-Schuster's TikTokin' was a distraction -- wait 'til they get a load of this ...

Pittsburgh's flamboyant wideout just provided some SERIOUS bulletin board material for the Cleveland Browns ahead of their playoff matchup this weekend ... throwing major shade at the team's AFC North rival!!

Smith-Schuster's comments all went down in a meeting with the media on Thursday ... when a reporter asked if the 24-year-old had seen anything different out of the Browns this year.

"I think they’re still the same Browns teams I play every year,” Smith-Schuster said. "I think they’re nameless, gray faces. They have a couple good players on their team, but, at the end of the day, I don’t know. The Browns is the Browns.”

JuJu added, "I'm just happy we're playing them again Sunday."

SHAAAAAAAAAADEEEE!!!

Of course, Smith-Schuster is no stranger to providing motivation for opposing teams ... to close out the season, the receiver made it a point to TikTok dance on opponents' logos before games.

Turns out, other teams used that as fuel ... especially the Bills and Bengals, who whooped the Steelers and griped about Smith-Schuster's dancing afterward.

Unclear if JuJu's comments this week will have a similar impact on the Browns ... but we do know the Sunday Pittsburgh-Cleveland matchup just got a whole helluva lot more interesting!!!

Browns' Rashard Higgins Traffic Stop Video ... Cop Ordered WR To Stomp On Alleged Weed

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"YOU'RE BETTER THAN THAT"

TMZ Sports has obtained dashcam footage of Rashard "Hollywood" Higgins' recent traffic stop ... which shows cops ordering the Cleveland Browns receiver to destroy an alleged marijuana joint on camera.

As we previously reported, Higgins and teammate Jedrick Wills were cited for drag racing in Ohio at around 9:30 AM on Tuesday.

In video of Higgins' traffic stop ... you can see a Westlake PD responding officer ask the 26-year-old about his car smelling like weed.

The player told the officers he had smoked in the car the day before ... but in video, you can see one of the cops says he found a joint in Higgins' pocket.

What happens next is crazy ... one of the cops mentions getting busted for weed could be "bad for press" -- so he ordered the player to crush the joint with his foot and kick it into the sewer.

"You guys are celebrities around here, so you don't want that hittin' the news, OK?" the officer said ... adding he'd only hit Higgins with a ticket for drag racing.

Higgins compiled throughout the stop ... and even admitted to cops he's "better than that."

As for Wills, his interaction with officers was much less eventful.

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TICKETED FOR RACING

A cop scolded the 21-year-old for the alleged racing ... and Wills admitted he and Higgins were "just being d*ckheads."

Both Higgins and Wills are due in court later this month.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, meanwhile, spoke about the incident with reporters on Wednesday ... saying the team will handle the situation internally.

Rashard Higgins, Jedrick Wills Busted For Alleged Drag Racing Days Before Playoff Game

UPDATE

7:23 AM PT -- 1/6 The second driver cited during the incident has been identified ... and it's none other than the Browns' #10 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft -- star lineman Jedrick Wills, Jr.

UPDATE

The 21-year-old left tackle went to Twitter to clear the air ... claiming people are "blowing it way out of proportion."

UPDATE

"So nobody has ever tried to beat someone off the line at a red light for a max 30 meters? Ight." Wills said Tuesday night. "Blowing it way out of proportion. Ik y’all road ragers have."

The week from hell continues to get worse for the Cleveland Browns ... this time, wide receiver Rashard "Hollywood" Higgins has been cited for drag racing in Ohio.

26-year-old Higgins -- who has 4 TDs and nearly 600 yards receiving this season -- was pulled over along with another vehicle on Tuesday around 9:36 AM in Westlake, according to an incident report obtained by the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.

Both drivers were cited for drag racing, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

The report also states a suspected marijuana joint was found in one of the cars, but the report doesn't say who the cops allege it belonged to.

Hollywood jokingly tweeted about the incident Tuesday afternoon, saying, "Foot slipped srry."

"Was tryna get away from Covid," he added.

The Browns released a statement to the Chronicle ... saying, "We are aware of the incident, will gather more information and handle this matter appropriately."

The most recent news adds to the Browns' troubles as they prepare for their first playoff appearance since 2002 -- a COVID-19 outbreak has forced head coach Kevin Stefanski, Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio and more to miss this Sunday's AFC Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Higgins is due back in court for the case later this month.

Originally Published 1/5 4:17 PM PT

Kevin Stefanski Browns H.C. Tests Positive For COVID ... Out For Playoff Game

UPDATE

9:07 AM PT -- 3-time Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio and wide reviver KhaDarel Hodge are the 2 players who tested positive for COVID, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

UPDATE

Bitonio is the longest-tenured Browns player, who has suffered through a winless season in 2017 and 1-win season in 2016.

UPDATE

In fact, he received a game ball from Stefanski after Cleveland's win over Pittsburgh on Sunday ... as a nod to making the playoffs for the first time in his career.

UPDATE

Terrible news for the Cleveland Browns -- the team will be without head coach Kevin Stefanski for its first playoff game in 18 years ... he just tested positive for coronavirus.

And he's not the only one ... 2 players and 2 assistant coaches have also tested positive for COVID-19 -- and the team has shut down its facility while contact tracing is underway.

The timing couldn't be worse for the Orange & Brown -- which is set to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card playoff game on Sunday.

Losing Stefanski is a major blow -- he's a candidate for NFL's Coach of the Year, leading the Browns to an impressive 11-5 record, the team's best season in forever.

The Browns announced special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will serve as acting head coach on Sunday ... and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will take over play-calling duties.

"The team will continue to consult with the league and medical experts to determine the appropriate next steps as the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff and the entire community remains our highest priority," the team said in a statement.

No word on the health status of the team's top stars -- including Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett, Jarvis Landry and others. Hopefully, they're okay and will be ready to play.

Remember, Cleveland was forced to play without its top 4 wide receivers and several other key players in Week 16 against the pathetic New York Jets ... with the Browns taking an "L" as a result of its decimated roster.

The huge game against the Steelers is still set to go down Sunday night ... so fingers crossed it doesn't get any worse.

Myles Garrett Daps Up Mason Rudolph After Game ... Helmet Attack Forgiven?!?

Hatchet buried?!

Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph shared a handshake and exchanged pleasantries in a post-game moment Sunday -- something no one expected to happen roughly 13 months after the infamous helmet attack incident!

Remember, it was in Nov. 2019 that Garrett swung a helmet at Rudolph's head during a nationally televised Browns vs. Steelers game -- with some calling for the Browns star to be criminally prosecuted.

The situation got super nasty between the NFL players -- Garrett claimed Rudolph had used the n-word on the field, something Rudolph had vehemently denied. Ultimately, Myles was hit with a 6-game suspension that ended his 2019 season.

The two teams clashed again on Sunday night -- with Rudolph filling in at QB for Ben Roethlisberger ... and the big question, is there still bad blood???

No helmet swinging this time around as the Browns beat the Steelers -- but after the game, cameras caught Myles and Mason dapping each other up.

"Myles came over and said, 'good game,' postgame and that's all it was," Rudolph said. "I told him 'good luck' and that I had a lot of respect for him."

Added Garrett, "I just told him good game -- he played a hell of a game -- and we’ll see you all in a week," Garrett said. "He played tough. He had 300 yards and a couple of touchdowns. He played very well, and he kept them in it to the very end."

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MUTUAL RESPECT
Cleveland Browns / Pittsburgh Steelers

"Had to show a little praise that he did well in this game and he was able to make some big plays for them."

So, friends? Not exactly ... but the situation is 1000000 times better than it was last year.

And, get this ... Myles and Mason will have a chance to continue their chat on Sunday when the Browns face the Steelers AGAIN in the AFC Wild Card game.

Beers after the game?

Marcus Peters Denies Spitting At Jarvis Landry ... During 'MNF'

UPDATE

5:00 PM PT -- 12/17 -- Peters is speaking out on the spituation ... flat-out denying he hocked a loogie at Landry.

UPDATE

"Where I come from, when you have an issue with someone, you deal with it face-to-face, man-to-man," Peters said in a statement Thursday.

UPDATE

"Anyone who believes that I intentionally spit at him does not know me – plain and simple."

UPDATE

1:25 PM PT -- Landry is PISSED at Peters for appearing to spit at him on 'MNF' this week ... the Cleveland Browns star just called the Ravens corner a straight-up "coward" over the act.

UPDATE

"It's cowardly," Landry told reporters Thursday in his first meeting with the media since the incident ... "You wait 'til I turn around to do something like that? It's like, do it to my face, you know?"

UPDATE
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"DISRESPECTFUL"
Cleveland Browns
UPDATE

"Be a man about it if you're going to do something like that."

UPDATE

Landry says he's not even sure why Peters got that mad at him to begin with ... explaining to media members the two players only traded "a little" smack talk during the game.

UPDATE

"At the end of the day, he took it to a disrespectful point," Landry said. "And, again, like I said, we'll see what happens from here."

Ravens star Marcus Peters appeared to hock a massive loogie and spit it at Jarvis Landry during "Monday Night Football" this week ... and it's got everyone wondering, was it intentional???

At the end of the 1st quarter of Baltimore's tilt with the Browns on Monday in Cleveland ... cameras caught Peters seemingly spitting in the direction of Landry as the wide receiver walked back toward his huddle.

Unclear if the Browns star even noticed -- but we've reached out to the Ravens and the NFL to see if they're looking into it.

Peters seemed to be pissed at Landry throughout the night ... and even appeared to call both Jarvis AND Odell Beckham "homegirls" and "she" after the win.

As Ravens star Marlon Humphrey was filming for social media postgame on the team jet ... Peters appeared to say of Jarvis and the injured Odell, "So, we only had one homegirl this time."

"And, you know, she was upset 'cause she ... she was upset because the other homegirl couldn't really end up making it. Because my dawg hurt. Well, she hurt right now. And, we understand that and I respect that."

"But, the one homegirl who was out there," Peters continued, "just needs to shut the f*ck up until she gets back."

FYI -- the Ravens and Browns have played twice already this season, with Baltimore winning both contests. There is a chance the two could possibly meet up in the playoffs next month.

For their part, neither Landry nor Peters has commented so far this week on any potential beef between the two stars.

Originally Published -- 12/16 8:15 AM PT

Browns' Callie Brownson Honored By Pro Football HOF NFL's 1st Female Position Coach

She made NFL history. Now she's being honored at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Check out the new display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio celebrating Callie Brownson ... the 1st woman to serve as a positions coach in a regular-season NFL game.

31-year-old Brownson made her historic debut on Nov. 29 against the Jacksonville Jaguars -- when she filled in for tight ends coach Drew Petzing who left the team to welcome his first child.

Brownson's usual role with the Browns is "chief of staff" -- but she's got prior experience as both a coach and a player!

She played for the D.C. Divas in the Women's Football Alliance from 2010-17 -- WHERE SHE STRAIGHT TRUCKED FOOLS!!!

After that, she served as a scouting intern with the New York Jets, the offensive quality control coach at Dartmouth and ultimately joined the Browns in 2020.

So, when the Browns needed someone to step up on game day, they realized Brownson was more than equipped to handle the situation.

In fact, Cleveland's tight end Austin Hooper caught a key TD in the Browns' 27 to 25 victory over Jacksonville ... giving the Orange and Brown their 8th win of the season.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame thought Brownson's accomplishment was so important and impressive, they've put her sideline jacket from the game on display ... next to an autographed game ball.

Quite an honor ... and well-deserved. Congrats!

Johnny Manziel 'Serious Talks' To Make Football Comeback ... In New Pro League

Johnny Manziel may not be done with pro football after all -- he's in "serious talks" to join a new league, TMZ Sports has learned.

We're told the 28-year-old is close to inking a deal with the new "Fan Controlled Football" league, which is set to debut in Feb. 2021.

FYI, the FCF is an arena football-style league consisting of 4 teams where almost everything -- including the play calls -- is picked by the fans.

So far, HUGE names like Quavo, Mike Tyson and Marshawn Lynch have all signed on to be team owners and the league has a deal for the games to stream live on Twitch.

Our sources tells us Manziel is currently in talks with comedian Bob Menery -- who co-owns the Zappers team with Mets pitcher Trevor May.

Obviously, it'd be a huge get for the league ... Manziel was one of the most electric college football players EVER -- and was a former Browns first-round pick in 2014. He also brought viewers to the TV in record numbers during his stint in the Canadian Football League.

But, Manziel hasn't played ball since 2019 -- and just a few months ago, he told TMZ Sports he was officially retired from football and moving on with his life.

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ONTO THE NEXT CHAPTER
TMZSports.com

Manziel apparently had a change of heart -- hey, he's allowed -- and this week, even posted about the opportunity on social media.

"Currently the starting QB of [Bob Menery's Zappers]. Time to tear old town down in my owners honor."

Getcha popcorn ready!

Baker Mayfield Quotes 'The Office' In Post-Win Gloat ... 'Would An Idiot Do That?!?'

Baker Mayfield woke up feeling dangerous AND like Dwight Schrute on Sunday ... 'cause after he balled the hell out against the Titans -- he quoted "The Office" character in an epic post-win gloat!!!

The Cleveland Browns QB went off in the team's 41-35 win over Tennesee -- throwing for 334 yards and 4 TDS -- and afterward, he was asked why he's been playing so much better lately.

That's when the 25-year-old channeled Dwight ... and it was pretty freakin' hilarious!!

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STRAIGHT FROM THE OFFICE
Cleveland Browns

"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think, ‘would an idiot do that?’" Baker said. "And, if they would, then I don’t do that."

If you haven't seen the show ... Baker hit the quote SPOT ON -- Dwight famously said it during a Season 3 episode after having a hilarious exchange with Steve Carell's character.

Great reference by Baker ... here's to hoping the next win comes with at least some sort of nod to Michael Scott!

NFL's Myles Garrett COVID-19 'Kicked My Butt' ... I Was In Pain!!!

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IT'S NO JOKE
Cleveland Browns

Not even the toughest dudes in the NFL can escape the wrath of COVID-19 ... with Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett admitting the virus "kicked my butt."

The 24-year-old defensive end spoke out about his experience with the coronavirus with reporters on Friday ... saying he was hoping to be asymptomatic -- but that wasn't the case.

Garrett -- who missed the last 2 games after testing positive -- says he dealt with a fever, aches and lost his sense of smell.

"I was in pain. It wasn't great," Garrett said. "It kicked my butt ... Now I’m back,"

The Defensive Player of the Year hopeful says he expects to be back to 100% in time for the team's crucial matchup against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

"I'm not here to make a cameo appearance or a second-rate arrival. I'm here to do the job that I was doing before. I don't think there will be any drop-off."

Garrett also said he's worried about long-term health effects -- like Bills player Tommy Sweeney's myocarditis diagnosis -- but notes he's been seeing doctors regularly and so far everything seems normal.

Odell Beckham Shows Off ACL Surgery Scar ... Crushing Rehab!!!

120320-obj-kal
WORK IN PROGRESS

Odell Beckham is back in the gym and busting his ass just over a month after his devastating ACL injury ... and he's showing off his battle scars.

The Cleveland Browns superstar has been sidelined for the rest of the season after going down in the 1st quarter of the Oct. 25 game against the Cincinnati Bengals ... calling the situation "really f'n tough."

But, OBJ has vowed to bounce back better than ever -- and he's putting his money where his mouth is ... posting footage Thursday from a recent workout.

28-year-old Odell can be seen going through squats and catching drills ... and it's pretty impressive considering the dude had surgery just 3 weeks ago.

"Lord I swear I think I'm healed," Odell said on Wednesday ... as he walked comfortably out of the training facility.

It's been a tough time for Beckham -- who has had his fair share of injuries throughout his career.

The star receiver spoke out about his struggles in an Instagram post this week ... saying, "Ima be honest.... I been thru hell these last couple years n I just keep it pushin... this shxt ain’t for errbody!"

Keep it up, O!

Myles Garrett Vows To 'Be Back Soon' ... After COVID-19/Reserve List Designation

UPDATE

3:58 PM PT -- Garrett just commented for the first time since he was placed on the COVID-19/reserve list ... and the Browns star is vowing to "be back soon."

UPDATE

"Not the news you want to hear but can’t thank y’all enough for the love," the 24-year-old said in a statement on his social media page. "This continues to affect us all in so many ways, but we’ll get through it together."

Myles Garrett will NOT play for the Browns on Sunday ... the team's superstar has been placed on the COVID-19/reserve list after he was sent home earlier this week with an illness.

Garrett reported he did not feel well on Wednesday and was ordered to go home just in case he had coronavirus.

While the team did not specifically say Garrett had tested positive ... the dots appeared to connect when Cleveland officials made the roster move announcement Friday.

"This morning the Cleveland Browns were informed that a player has tested positive for COVID-19," the team said in a statement. "Contact tracing has been conducted and the individual has self-isolated."

"He has not been in the facility all week and zero high-risk contacts have been identified."

The Browns are still scheduled to practice Friday for their upcoming game against the Philadelphia Eagles ... and it does not appear the matchup is in jeopardy of being canceled or postponed at the moment.

Obviously, though, losing Garrett will be a big blow ... the 24-year-old has been arguably the best defender in football this year, logging 9.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles.

Cleveland is no stranger to coronavirus this season ... star quarterback Baker Mayfield was placed on the reserve list during the team's bye week this month after he reportedly had contact with a COVID-positive Browns staffer.

The QB has since come off of the list, and played last week against the Texans. He's expected to start again Sunday against the Eagles.

Originally Published -- 7:18 AM PT

Odell Beckham Undergoes Surgery For Torn ACL ... 'Let The Journey Begin'

Odell Beckham is officially on the road to recovery ... the star receiver and the Cleveland Browns just announced he underwent successful surgery to repair his torn ACL.

Beckham shredded the knee early in the Browns-Bengals game back on Oct. 25 ... and he was finally able to go under the knife Tuesday to repair the issue.

The Browns said in a statement the operation -- performed by world-renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews down in Florida -- was a complete success.

"Beckham is expected to be ready for the 2021 season," the team added.

Beckham appeared to be pleased with the results of the surgery as well ... he posted a pic of himself post-op and wrote, "Sit back relax n watch how God work.....Now let the journey begin."

Beckham was having his best year as a Brown before the injury ... logging 319 receiving yards and 4 total TDs in 7 starts.

The wideout has vowed to come back stronger than ever ... writing on his social media page earlier this week, "Adversity.... it’s nothin new to me!"

Get well soon!

Browns' Baker Mayfield 'Insensitive' to Claim We're Better ... Without Odell!

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O-DELL, NAH!!!
Cleveland Browns

Baker Mayfield is PISSED OFF at the notion the Cleveland Browns are better off without Odell Beckham ... calling critics "insensitive" for bringing it up right after his season-ending injury.

OBJ tore his ACL during CLE's first offensive possession against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday ... officially ending his promising 2020 campaign.

The talking heads speculated it may be a blessing in disguise for Baker and Co. ... allowing the offense to run more organically without forcing targets to their superstar receiver.

Baker was asked about the comments on Wednesday ... and he made it clear he won't entertain the idea -- especially 2 days after OBJ got word of his status.

"For one, I just think it's completely insensitive to a guy that just tore his ACL," the AFC's Offensive Player of the Week told reporters. "I'm not even going to comment on it."

It's not a bad theory, considering Baker went on to go 22-23 with 5 TDs with Odell sidelined ... but Mayfield says it just ain't right to bring it up so soon.

"You never wanna lose guys and that's where I'm going to leave that one."

Browns TE Austin Hooper Undergoing Surgery ... For Appendicitis

Cleveland Browns star Austin Hooper will NOT be suiting up against the Bengals this weekend ... after the team announced the tight end is undergoing an appendectomy.

The 25-year-old -- who signed a 4-year, $44 million deal with CLE this offseason -- was originally listed as questionable with a non-COVID-19 related illness ... which was later revealed as appendicitis on Friday.

Hooper's production has been improving in recent weeks ... and has 22 receptions for more than 200 yards through 6 games this season.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski broke the news to reporters minutes ago ... saying he does not expect Hooper to miss an extended amount of time.

The Browns have had their fair share of injuries this season -- from Baker Mayfield and Jarvis Landry's injured ribs to a depleted secondary on defense.

Get well soon, Hooper!! ... and fantasy folks, adjust your lineups accordingly.

Odell Beckham I Have 'Mutual Respect' W/ COVID-19 ... It Wants Nothing To Do With Me!!!

102120_obj_kal
STAY AWAY!!!
Cleveland Browns

Odell Beckham has quite the unique perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic ... saying he's developed a "mutual respect" with the virus ... which essentially makes him feel immune.

Really.

Remember, the Cleveland Browns superstar came down with a bug days before Sunday's game against the Steelers ... and many feared it was the 'rona taking over another NFL organization.

Despite testing negative for the virus, OBJ was asked Wednesday if he was scared his illness was COVID-19 at the time ... and the dude made a gem of a statement.

"No, not in an arrogant way," OBJ told reporters. "I don't think COVID can get to me. I don't think it's going to enter this body."

He continued ... "I don't want no parts of it, it don't want no parts of me. I think it's a mutual respect."

It's not the first time an NFLer has made a questionable comment on the virus -- Vikings QB Kirk Cousins channeled his inner Ivan Drago by saying, "if I die, I die" ... before later backpedaling on his comments.