Ogbonnaya has competed in two games and nine practices since signing with the Browns on Oct. 18. Clayton completed his third practice session in Cleveland on Friday.
Running backs Chris Ogbonnaya and Thomas Clayton will get their opportunities on the field Sunday against the Houston Texans.
A lot can change in seven days.One week ago, running back Chris Ogbonnaya was third on the Browns’ depth chart behind Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty. Thomas Clayton was awaiting a call while working out in the New England area. However, on Friday, Ogbonnaya and Clayton were getting the bulk of the work at running back.
Hardesty has missed the entire week of preparation and according to coach Pat Shurmur, is out for Sunday’s game at the Houston Texans. After missing the previous two games due to a hamstring issue, Hillis appeared to re-aggravate the injury during Friday’s practice.
“You prepare to play this game as if you were the starter, even if you’re on just the core special teams because you’re only a few plays away,” Ogbonnaya said. “I always looked at it that whenever my time comes, be ready just to make sure the coaches have the trust and respect in me and know that I’m ready to play.”
In two games with the Browns, Ogbonnaya has rushed for 52 yards on 14 carries -- a 3.7 yards-per-carry average -- and caught ten passes for 67 yards. Ogbonnaya rushed for 37 yards on 11 carries against the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday after Hardesty left the game due to a calf injury.
When talking about Ogbonnaya’s abilities and potentially having to start against the Texans, Shurmur said he was “very comfortable” with the third-year running back.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked to this point,” Shurmur said. “He came in, in a limited role and played well and then, last week, I thought he went it and did a good job with a major role. Hopefully, it will be somewhere in-between.”
According to Clayton, since being signed on Tuesday, he has spent time getting into the playbook, reviewing film, meeting the Browns coaches and preparing himself mentally for the challenge of playing against a Texans defense that ranks fifth in points allowed and sixth in rushing yards per game.
He has embraced the chance to compete on Sunday despite not having much time in the Browns’ West Coast offense.
“I think that’s what we play the game for,” Clayton said. “I’m excited about the opportunity and I’m going to assert myself as best I can on Sunday and we’ll see what happens. I’m a balanced back. I can do it all, run in-between the tackles, take it outside. Anything they ask of me, I’ll be able to do.”
Ogbonnaya has competed in two games and nine practices since signing with the Browns on Oct. 18. Clayton completed his third practice session in Cleveland on Friday.
“I love my job; I love the profession and I really do enjoy the challenges of trying to put together a team that can win on Sunday,” Shurmur said. “You put it together the best you can with the guys and they’ve had three great days of practice. We have a locker room of guys that try to do the right thing. I hope we can put together an effort where the results are winning.”
The Cleveland Browns lose opener , 
