The practice-squad player whom the Browns called up to take the place of suspended wideout Josh Gordon will not play Sunday.
According to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, the Browns announced wideout Phil Bates has been ruled out of tomorrow’s game against the Ravens. It’s unclear why Bates won’t play, but the club did say it was not an injury-related decision, per the Beacon Journal. Bates did not accompany the club to Baltimore, according to the report.
The 25-year-old Bates appeared in one regular season game with Seattle earlier this year. He has spent about two months on Cleveland’s practice squad.
With Gordon and Bates out, the Browns have five available receivers: Travis Benjamin, Taylor Gabriel, Andrew Hawkins, Marlon Moore and Rodney Smith. However, Hawkins is questionable with a thumb injury, though he did put in a limited practice on Friday after not practicing Wednesday. (The club had Thursday off.)