BEREA - Joshua Cribbs was named the fourth captain this week, but it was another special teams player that received a bigger honor.
Travis Benjamin was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in a 30-7 win over the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday. Benjamin returned a punt 93 yards for a touchdown, breaking the team record of 92 yards set by Eric Metcalf in 1994. It marked the first time a Browns rookie returned a punt for a touchdown since Ben Davis in 1967.
This is the first special teams award for Benjamin. He became the first Browns rookie to win the award since Andre Davis in 2002. He's also the first Brown to win the award since Cribbs in week two of last season.
With Cribbs' contract up at the end of this season, Benjamin could be the number one punt returner next season.
"Josh isn't the fastest guy in the world, but he's found a way to run back punts in his career," coach Pat Shurmur said. "Of course, Travis is extremely fast. They add different elements to the return game."
Benjamin hasn't contributed much to the passing game, catching 10 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown. He took a reverse for 15 yards against the Chiefs on a drive that resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run by Trent Richardson.
DUMMY SQUAD: Colt McCoy will help simulate the Redskins' offense in practices. Shurmur indicated that there are no plans to use Cribbs in the role despite the chance that Robert Griffin III might play.
If Griffin doesn't play, the Redskins won't run their option plays as much with Kirk Cousins at quarterback.
"I'm not sure we have the speed on our team to simulate a talent like RG III in terms of his flat speed," Shurmur said.
GOOD EYE: Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has a great eye for running back talent. While in Denver, he selected Terrell Davis in the sixth round of the 1995 draft. Davis became one of the league's best backs and was the missing ingredient John Elway needed to win back-to-back Super Bowls.
Shanahan struck again this year with the selection of Alfred Morris in the sixth round. Morris has rushed for 1,228 yards and seven touchdowns on 253 carries.
"Mike has done a fine job of finding backs at that point in the draft and having success with them, and this is another example," Shurmur said. "He's worked with numerous personnel guys who do the background work. They tend to hit on guys like that. It's a good job by them."
ANOTHER OPTION: Brad Smelley, a fullback/tight end from Alabama, was activated from the practice squad earlier this week. Smelley was selected in the seventh round of the draft.
Smelley probably won't be active on Sunday. He'll be available if help is needed at tight end or on special teams.
"We've liked what we've seen of him," Shurmur said. "We just wanted to make him active and have him available in the event as we go through these next three weeks we need him to play."
INJURY REPORT: Limited for the Browns were receiver Joshua Cribbs (knee), defensive lineman Juqua Parker (knee) and offensive lineman Joe Thomas (back).
Redskins linebacker London Fletcher (ankle) didn't participate. Griffin (ankle) was limited, as was offensive tackle Trent Williams (thigh).
