Bills vs. Browns 2013: Cleveland wins battle of backups against Buffalo

There was no word during the game about what triggered Bryant to suddenly experience trouble breathing. The team tweeted that Bryant was taken to the Cleveland Clinic for “precautionary reasons.” He finished the game with two tackles. Bryant had 15 stops heading into Thursday night’s kickoff.

• Bucs officially dump Josh Freeman

Manuel scrambled for a first down and was hit as he attempted to run out of bounds. He screamed in pain before falling to the ground. Trainers wasted no time surrounding him before he was brought to the sideline for evaluation. Manuel left the bench and attempted to walk off the injury, but was later seen wearing flip-flops in the trainer’s room.

• Bucs officially dump Josh Freeman

Buffalo’s lack of defensive judgement led to a bad pass interference call, which in turn resulted in a Bills’ first down at the Cleveland 1-yard line. Fred Jackson ran in the short touchdown. This was followed up with a Buffalo field goal which held the lead until just over five minutes remained in the first half.

This was quickly followed by a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown by Travis Benjamin, allowing Cleveland to take the lead into the half.

Hoyer was forced to leave the game as he limped to the locker room with the help of trainers. Hoyer appeared unable to put weight on his right leg, and trainers may have been checking him for an ACL injury. It was announced that he will not return to tonight’s game.

• Bucs officially dump Josh Freeman

Jarius Byrd will be out again, missing his fourth game of the season. He had a contract dispute with the Bills this offseason and demanded a trade. Byrd is on the inactive list this week after being listed as “questionable” with a foot injury.

• Bucs officially dump Josh Freeman

Both could struggle against what has been a stout Browns defense so far in 2013. The Browns are giving up just 79 yards per game on the ground at a league-low 2.9 yards per carry.

• Bucs officially dump Josh Freeman

You waited and waited, and waited some more. It seemed like it was taking forever to get here. Every day seemed longer than the one before it, even as it crept tantalizingly closer. But now it’s here.

Where does Brownsbills Day get its name?

Thursday, Oct. 3, 8:25 p.m. ET

FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio