DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford says it will be nice to take a break from practicing against teammates by playing the Cleveland Browns.
The Lions (No. 11 in the AP Pro32) and Browns (No. 30 in the AP Pro32) will face each other Friday night in their first preseason game.
Stafford is going into his fourth NFL season without rehabbing an injury in the offseason for the first time since his rookie year. All-Pro receiver Calvin Johnson is one of many targets in a pass-heavy offense that is without banged-up running backs Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure.
The Browns drafted running back Trent Richardson No. 3 overall and quarterback Brandon Weeden 22nd overall. Weeden will start against the Lions, while Richardson won’t play because an ailing left knee.
