BEREA, Ohio – The league’s leader in interceptions missed practice Tuesday after reporting concussion-like symptoms to the team upon returning from the long weekend off.
Browns coach Mike Pettine said safety Tashaun Gipson, who has six interceptions this year and nine in his last 12 games, is being checked for concussion by the team’s protocol.
Gipson didn’t tell the team of any suffering immediately after the game. The Browns were off Friday through Monday.
“He thought maybe he could shake it but showed up and it was still bothering him and he spoke up,” Pettine said. “We’ll know more tomorrow.”
If Gipson can’t go Sunday against Houston, the Texans' offense would see more of backups Jordan Poyer or Jim Leonhard. The Browns might decide to go with Leonhard because of his experience, but Poyer has athleticism.
The Browns are being cautious with players under concussion protocol. Tight end Jordan Cameron has missed the last two games and didn’t practice Tuesday, though this could be the week he returns.
Make no mistake, a loss of Gipson would be significant – but survivable. The Browns have enough good corners to mix and match coverage combinations to mask any problems, and of course Donte Whitner’s still back there.
Gipson is more than a few easy picks – he gets good jumps on deep balls and is a good blitzer. The Browns have efforts to simplify the defense since the Jacksonville loss, which will help whichever safety might have to play.
That’s jumping way ahead, though. Gipson has four more days to get cleared.