BEREA — Right tackle Tytus Howard had two false start penalties in 39 games over the previous three seasons. He was flagged for three Sunday in the win over the Panthers.
“It’s just something I gotta get a feel for how they’re gonna be judging in a game,” the eight-year veteran said Tuesday. “I really just gotta try my best to time it up perfectly. My game my whole career has been getting off the snap. So I just got to calm it down a little bit.”
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Tackles historically have tried to time — or cheat — the snap to give themselves the best chance to stop the speedy edge rushers aiming for their quarterback.
“Got to be corrected, got to be fixed. They said I was leaving a hair early,” Howard said. “That was something new to me that I was getting off the ball too early.”
Howard, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Texans, has five false starts in three games this year. That matches his career high in 2022. He had three each from 2019-21.
While he didn’t agree with the calls Sunday, he said he “can’t complain about it now.” His penalties were among the team’s 12 for 84 yards.
“Maybe I think I wasn’t offsides, maybe a lot of people think I wasn’t, but they call it, that means I was offsides, so I gotta fix it,” he said. “When it happened three times, that’s a problem.”
Howard said it’s fixable and he isn’t worried about it. He also said he won’t be hesitant to anticipate the snap count Thursday night when he’s matched up with Steelers eight-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker T.J. Watt.
“I’m gonna play my game,” Howard said. “I’m not gonna hesitate to come off the ball because when I do that, that’s when it’s gonna be a problem with the guy over me, he got the advantage over me, and I’m not gonna let that happen. I’m just gonna do a better job of being more conscious of how the referee seeing me get off the ball and just work off that.”
Watt has 3.5 sacks, five quarterback hits and an interception returned for a touchdown in Pittsburgh’s 2-1 start.
“T.J. is one of the premier pass rushers, one of the best that’s ever played,” Howard said. “I played him multiple times when I was in Houston, so I know what to expect from him. I know that it’s not going to be an easy game.”
Howard heard about his tough day, and not just from the coaches.
“Multiple people messaged me all type of crazy stuff about it,” he said.
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CENTER OF ATTENTION
The offensive line, which struggled against the Panthers, is likely to be without starting center Elgton Jenkins against the Steelers. He played every snap vs. the Panthers but entered the concussion protocol and didn’t practice Tuesday.
If the eight-year veteran can’t play, Luke Wypler would get the start. Wypler, a sixth-round pick in 2023, has six starts, including five last season. One of those was against the Steelers and he didn’t allow a pressure.
Wypler sustained a knee injury in the finale and missed much of the offseason.
“Luke has played a lot of ball,” quarterback Deshaun Watson said. “I’ve been with Luke for the last three years, so I know what he’s about. We’ve communicated. We’ve worked together before.
“We’re super excited for the opportunity and praying for Jenkins to get healthy so he can get back in this locker room with us and we can have him around.”
INJURY REPORT
Receiver/special teamer Tylan Wallace (knee) didn’t practice and could be headed to injured reserve.
“Don’t have the update yet,” Monken said.
** Cornerback Tyson Campbell (knee), safety Grant Delpit (shoulder) and Howard (knee) were limited. Campbell didn’t play vs. the Panthers after being limited last week with a variety of leg injuries, but Monken was hopeful he’d be able to face the Steelers.
“That’d be huge,” cornerback Denzel Ward said. “I’m hoping and praying we would get Tyson back. We need him and he’s a great player for us.”
** Guard Teven Jenkins (back) returned in a limited capacity after missing the first three games.
** For the Steelers, running back Rico Dowdle (toe) didn’t practice. Safety Jalen Ramsey (wrist) and cornerback Brandin Echols (concussion) were limited.
TAKE HIM OUT
Ward, a five-time Pro Bowler, has always wanted to cover the opponent’s best receiver, but the game plans and schemes throughout his career have limited the opportunities. He got the chance against Carolina’s Tetairoa McMillan and helped hold him to two catches for 17 yards on five targets. According to NextGenStats, Ward matched up with McMillan 25 times, allowing a catch for 12 yards on two targets.
“I think they know the type of player I am, the type of guy I am for this team,” Ward said. “My main focus and goal is to win a game and whatever I got to do to help our team go win, I’m all for it.”
McMillan is the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and entered the game with 10 catches for 176 yards in two games.
“It felt good. He’s a great young player in this league and I know he’s going to keep building,” Ward said. “You definitely got to just be locked in and just lock in on your guy, lock in on your assignment.”
EXTRA POINTS
The Browns are 43-29-1 vs. the Steelers at home, including winning the last four matchups.
** Cornerback Myles Bryant and tight end John FitzPatrick were signed to the practice squad. Bryant, who’s in his seventh season, spent the offseason with the Browns and opened the season on their practice squad. FitzPatrick (6-foot-7, 262 pounds) is in his fifth season, appearing in 33 games.
** Cornerback D’Angelo Ross and tight end Messiah Swinson were released from the practice squad.
** Guard Kendrick Green was released from injured reserve.
