Jerry Jeudy makes key catches for Browns while adjusting to reduced role

Jerry Jeudy helped the Cleveland Browns beat the Baltimore Ravens 13-10 in Cleveland on Oct. 18 with a 33-yard fourth-quarter catch that moved them into field-goal range. The Associated Press reported that the play came as Jeudy adjusts to fewer opportunities in the Browns' passing game.

Jeudy made two catches in the fourth quarter against Baltimore, including the 33-yard reception from Deshaun Watson on third-and-5. Andre Szmyt won the game with a 37-yard field goal as time expired, according to the Browns' game recap. Coach Todd Monken gave Jeudy the game ball after the victory, which put Cleveland at 4-2 and tied for first in the AFC North, AP reported.

Jeudy's late catches in two Browns wins

Those contributions have come with less time on the field. Through six games, Jeudy had 220 snaps, 12 receptions and 150 receiving yards. AP described each as his lowest total through the first six games of a season in his career. He had only two catches combined in Cleveland's first three games, and Monken has since tried to involve him more in the passing game.

How Cleveland's receiver roles changed

Cleveland drafted receivers K.C. Concepcion and Denzel Boston in the first two rounds, and Boston took Jeudy's starting spot as an outside receiver two weeks into training camp, AP reported. Jeudy has lined up in the slot more often than in previous seasons, although he is still used outside nearly three-quarters of the time. Boston had 345 receiving yards and Concepcion had 22 catches at the time of AP's report.

Jeudy told AP before Wednesday's practice that the reduced chance to perform was ‘pretty frustrating.’ He said he could return to the drawing board and work on his game. Monken said the Browns were doing a better job of finding ways to use him: ‘We're better with Jerry than we are without Jerry.’ Boston said Jeudy had helped him and Concepcion with techniques and shared his experience with the rookies.

The seventh-year receiver joined Cleveland from Denver in 2024 and signed a three-year extension. Cleveland's next scheduled game was Sunday at Tennessee, which was 1-5 at the time of AP's report.