With starting quarterback Brian Hoyer out with a knee injury, the Cleveland Browns got a boost from punt returner Travis Benjamin Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.
Benjamin set a Browns’ franchise record with 179 yards on punt returns against the Bills. With the game tied at 10-10 late in the second quarter against Buffalo, Benjamin returned a punt from Shawn Powell 79 yards for a touchdown to give the Browns a lead before halftime.
Benjamin broke the prior record of 166 yards on returns set by Eric Metcalf against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1993. Benjamin had seven returns against the Bills Thursday and averaged 25.6 yards per attempt. Metcalf set his record on just two returns against the Steelers as he returned both punts for touchdowns - 91 yards and 75 yards, respectively.