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NFL Week 4 live updates: Vikings lead Packers, Justin Herbert active, scores, highlights, injuries and more

LAS VEGAS – The Browns have named James Hudson III as their starting left tackle for tonight’s game against the Raiders.

Hudson started the first two games of the season at left tackle, but Jedrick Wills Jr. made his season debut last week. Hudson is back in the starting lineup after Wills (knee) and Jack Conklin (hamstring) were previously absent. When the Browns hit an injury emergency last week, Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio moved to left tackle.

The Browns have no surprising inactives. They had already ruled out Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku (ankle) and running back Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring). Dawand Jones starts at right tackle despite a lingering knee injury, and Germain Ifedi will be the third tackle.

Protecting Deshaun Watson is crucial for the Browns, a task that should be at least a little easier with Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby out for the game with a high ankle sprain.

Watson was sacked eight times during last week’s loss to the Giants, who had a 53.8 percent blitz rate in the game. Through the first three weeks of the season, Pro Football Focus had the Browns pressured on 44.7 of Watson’s dropbacks, the second-highest number in the entire league.

The Browns’ other inactives are rookie wide receiver Jamari Thrash, cornerback Khalef Hailassie and third-string emergency quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. As expected, veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks is active despite elbow and rib injuries. Hicks and star pass rusher Myles Garrett (foot, hamstring, hamstring) are both playing at less than 100 percent, but the Browns will need both as they try to recover today.

By Jasper

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