CLEVELAND (AP) — A devastating development for one of Minnesota’s quarterbacks created an opportunity for another.
Nick Mullens wants to make the most of it.
Mullens threw a touchdown pass on the heels of the Vikings’ quarterback rotation getting jumbled last week by J.J McCarthy’s season-ending injury, and Minnesota beat the Cleveland Browns 27-12 in a preseason game on Saturday.
Mullens connected with wide receiver Trishton Jackson on a 14-yard TD in the first quarter for the Vikings (2-0).
While he completed just 11 of 21 passes for 135 yards, the most important statistic for Mullens was he didn’t commit any turnovers, a problem for him during three starts late last season while filling in for Kirk Cousins.
Minnesota’s third-string QB Jaren Hall had two second-half scoring passes, the second a 71-yarder to Jeshaun Jones.
Rookie Will Reichard kicked field goals of 41 and 38 yards.
D’Onta Foreman had a one-yard touchdown and Cade York kicked a 33-yard field goal for the Browns (0-2).
Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell and Cleveland’s Kevin Stefanski chose to sit their starters as well as most backups, feeling they had gotten adequate work when the teams practiced twice this week.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson spent his second straight game on the sideline.
He’s scheduled to play next week at Seattle, his first action since a season-ending shoulder injury in November.
No. 2 Jameis Winston also sat out.
It’s been quite a week for Minnesota’s QBs.
On Tuesday, McCarthy, the club’s highly touted rookie, was lost for the season after undergoing right knee surgery.
The first-round pick from Michigan suffered torn meniscus during a solid pro debut last week that not only put him in the mix to push starter Sam Darnold, but affirmed the team’s belief he’s the franchise QB going forward.
McCarthy’s injury sealed Darnold as the starter — at least this season — and elevated Mullens into a backup role.
It’s a familiar spot for Mullens, who put up big passing stats in three starts last season but also threw eight interceptions.
Early against the Browns, Mullens twice threw the ball away rather than forcing throws, exactly what O’Connell hoped.
Hall, who is expected to be Minnesota’s No. 3 QB, went 4 of 5 and finished with a perfect 158.3 passer rating.
Mullens led Minnesota to a TD on its first possession, capping an eight-play, 75-yard opening drive with a nice throw to Jackson, who got both feet down along the left side of the end zone.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson started at QB for the Browns and went 13 of 17 for 126 yards.
Thompson-Robinson, who is competing with Tyler Huntley for the No. 3 job, threw an interception late in the first half.
“It was definitely a bad ball,” Thompson-Robinson said. “I was more so guessing on the throw than anything.”
Huntley played the second half and went 14 of 20 for 135 yards and two picks.
HALL PLAYS
Browns rookie defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. played despite being arrested and injured earlier in the week.
On Tuesday, the second-round pick from Ohio State was charged with domestic violence following an argument with his fiancée, who alleged he threatened her by putting a gun to her head.
Hall, who hurt his neck on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty in court and was released on $10,000 bond.
He could face discipline from the NFL for violating its personal conduct policy, pending an investigation.
INJURIES
Browns: LT James Hudson (left ankle) left the stadum in a walking boot. His injury complicates things while the team waits for starters Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin to return from season-ending knee injuries. … It was a tough day for Cleveland’s offensive tackles as Germain Ifedi (hand) and Hakeem Adeniji (knee) also got hurt.
UP NEXT
Browns: At Seattle on Saturday, Aug. 24.
Owusu-Koramoah
receives extension
BEREA (AP) — Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has received a three-year, $39 million contract extension following a Pro Bowl season.
A second-round pick in 2021 from Notre Dame, Owusu-Koramoah was entering the final year of his rookie deal.
The sides had been working on an agreement throughout training camp and finalized it on Wednesday.
Owusu-Koramoah’s deal runs through the 2027 season.
“Been a while negotiating, but man, it feels good,” he said before the Browns hosted the Minnesota Vikings for a joint practice. “Feels like I’m love, right? It feels like that I have an opportunity to respond to a lot of the different things that’s going on in my life.
“It feels good to be locked into a place and have the place to also respect you and give you honor as well.”
The Browns traded up in the draft to select the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Owusu-Koramoah.
While undersized to play inside, he has exceptional speed, which allows him to play in space and be used in a variety of ways.
He showed nice flashes in his first two seasons before having a breakout in 2023 under first-year defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Owusu-Koramoah started 13 games and led the Browns’ No. 1-ranked defense with 101 tackles.
He had 20 tackles for loss, first among NFL linebackers, and added two interceptions and 3 1/2 sacks.
In four seasons with the Browns, Owusu-Koramoah has started 33 games.
He’s recorded 247 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions.
