Germain Ifedi (finger) was injured in the 27-12 loss to the Vikings, as were James Hudson (ankle) and Hakeem Adeniji (knee), which further complicated the Browns’ problems at the offensive tackle position. (Cleveland Browns)

Editor’s Note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.

Insights after the Browns’ 27-12 loss to the Minnesota Vikings …

1. Problems are getting worse: James Hudson left the locker room wearing a walking boot on his left foot to protect an ankle injury. Hakeem Adeniji left the locker room on crutches and wearing a brace on his injured right knee. And Germain Ifedi has a finger injury. So the tackle situation got even worse in a 27-12 loss to the Vikings. With Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin still on the PUP list, the Browns may soon need to add an unsigned tackle. Some of the familiar names available include Donovan Smith, DJ Humphries, Jason Peters, Billy Turner, Riley Reiff and Duane Brown. Coach Kevin Stefanski did not provide any information on whether Wills or Conklin will be allowed to return to practice soon. “When they’re ready, they’ll be ready,” he said. “They’re both focused, working very hard, and we’ll get them back when they’re back.” The final tackles on Saturday were Lorenzo Thompson and Nigerian national team designate Roy Mbaeteka. Right tackle Dawand Jones got the night off after practicing all week. Would the lack of tackles change Stefanski’s plan to have Deshaun Watson play in Seattle’s final game of the season? “We’ll see. The plan is for Deshaun to play,” Stefanski said.

2. QB3 Combat Update: Quarterbacks Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley did not play in joint practices with the Vikings, so they will be graded for their in-game performances after a curve. They also had a harder time moving the ball, losing three offensive tackles during the game. But if DTR had an advantage for the QB3 role from the start based on his performance in the first game, he likely built on it. DTR scored a touchdown on 13-of-17 passing for 126 yards. He made a nice throw to rookie Jamari Thrash on a fourth-and-2 conversion and immediately followed with a nice run to extend a play and provoke pass interference in the end zone to set up D’Onta Foreman’s 1-yard TD plunge. DTR threw an interception while throwing behind Thrash in the final seconds of the first half to set up a field goal. Huntley was 14 of 20 for 135 yards and was intercepted twice. He also led the Browns with 19 rushing yards. “I’m trying to win a game and I’m not worried about my job,” DTR said afterward. He attributed the interception to a lack of work during the week. “Without practice reps, it’s pretty hard to get the timing right.” Overall, DTR is playing with more composure and control than he did a year ago as a rookie. “I’m just trying to operate out there and run the offense,” he said. “I’m trying not to do everything by myself.”

3. Don’t jump to conclusions: Stefanski had offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey call the plays in the first half. “Yes, we had other assistants call the plays, and we did the same thing in the first game,” he said. No, he is not reconsidering his plan to call the plays himself.

4. Thrash Flash: Rookie receiver Jamari Thrash was DTR’s favorite target in the first half. Thrash caught 3 balls on 5 attempts. His best catch was a slant on fourth-and-2 that Thrash took 15 yards and gave him the only touchdown drive. “He did a good job of throwing the ball off the line,” DTR said. “I just gave him a body ball to work with. I was proud of Thrash for understanding the situation, the down and the distance. He worked the guy at the line and was able to get to him. I was more pleased with Thrash (than the throw).”

5. Ups and downs as a rookie: Rookie cornerback Myles Harden had a good week of practice against the Vikings. “It was clear,” he said. But in the game, Harden fell victim to a play fake by Jarren Hall that led to a pass over his head and a 71-yard touchdown by undrafted rookie free agent Jeshaun Jones. “That ruined my whole week,” Harden said afterward. “They ran the same play twice in a row before that and ran the ball.” Welcome to the NFL.

6. The funny old Santa Claus: Nick Mullens has a chance to get some playing time for the Vikings after rookie JJ McCarthy’s offseason. Designated starter Sam Darnold had the night off, and Mullens managed three scoring drives in his first half. The last time he played at Browns Stadium, Mullens was the emergency QB for the Browns against the Oakland Raiders on a cold December Monday in 2021 when Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum and 11 other starters were sick with COVID. Mullens put the Browns up 14-13 with a great fourth-quarter drive, but the Browns defense couldn’t stop a game-winning field goal drive by Oakland. This will go down as the only appearance for the Browns in Mullens’ career. “I really enjoyed my time in Cleveland,” Mullens said. “The scheme, the team and the city. You never know where the next opportunity is going to come from. And in this case, COVID, … and I was like, ‘Wow!’ I’m starting a game here.’ We lost the game, but it’s definitely a fun memory.”