Cleveland Browns

Browns' Dwayne Bowe has no clue why he's not playing

Published Dec. 16, 2015 1:04 a.m. ET

foxsports

Receiver Dwayne Bowe is getting paid $6.25 million by the Cleveland Browns this season, or just over $2 million per reception so far this season.

Bowe, who signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract with $9 million guaranteed this offseason, has just three catches for 31 yards this season, having appeared in only five games. He's been a healthy scratch seven times this season, including three of the last four games. Bowe's inactivity is even more puzzling considering that the Browns have been plagued by injuries at receiver over the last month. Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel have been dealing with concussions, but Darius Jennings was promoted from the practice squad ahead of Bowe two weeks ago, primarily because of his ability to play special teams.

Now that Brian Hartline is out for the season after suffering a broken collarbone last Sunday, conventional wisdom suggests that Bowe may get the opportunity to get on the field this week against Seattle. Unfortunately for Bowe, Gabriel is set to return, and Terrelle Pryor, who dressed ahead of Bowe against the 49ers, is likely to continue to get reps in his conversion from quarterback.

Bowe surely wishes he had a better answer when he was asked by Cleveland.com about his misfortune in Cleveland this season, but it began with a hamstring injury he suffered in training camp.

Bowe, who averaged nearly 67 receptions and 894 yards in eight seasons with Kansas City, still believes in his ability to contribute.

"Honestly I have no clue. All I can do is look forward to the next opportunity. I love football. I love to be a role model for the young guys. When you're losing it doesn't seem like fun, but at the end of the day, you're still teaching somebody something and that's what I do.''

"When I got hurt, it set me back as far as the coach getting to know what I can do and things like that. I just got so far behind in the playbook and they added most of the main content when I was out. When I was got back, they were so far ahead, and to go back for me would've set the whole offense back."

-- Browns receiver Dwayne Bowe

"Of course I can still play," Bowe said. "I show it every day in practice. I feel like if they put me in there and threw the ball to me, I would've made big plays. I just sit back and when my number 80 is called, I'll just go in and do the best I can."