Pregame primer: Redskins hit the road to face Browns in preseason opener

CLEVELAND — The Washington Redskins will take their next step in forgetting about a dismal season when they open the preseason on Thursday evening with a road game against the Cleveland Browns.

It will be the third time in the last four seasons the Redskins will open the preseason on the road following games against the Buffalo Bills in 2012 and the Tennessee Titans in 2013.

Redskins coach Jay Gruden originally said his starters would play the first quarter of the game, and maybe into the second quarter, but then said it’s possible they only get a drive or two.

Some other details:

Logistics

Kickoff: 8 p.m.

Records: Redskins 0-0, Browns 0-0

Television: WRC Ch. 4, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic (Kenny Albert, Joe Theismann, Clinton Portis)

Radio: ESPN 980-AM / 95.9-FM (Larry Michael, Sonny Jurgensen, Chris Cooley, Doc Walker)

Weather: 78 degrees, partly cloudy

Lines: Browns by 1 1/2, over/under 38 per Bovada

Projected Starters

Redskins Offense: QB Robert Griffin III, RB Alfred Morris, WR Pierre Garcon, WR Andre Roberts, TE Niles Paul, FB Darrel Young, LT Trent Williams, LG Shawn Lauvao, C Kory Lichtensteiger, RG Brandon Scherff, RT Morgan Moses

Redskins Defense: DE Stephen Paea, NT Terrance Knighton, DE Jason Hatcher, OLB Trent Murphy, MLB Keenan Robinson, JLB Perry Riley, OLB Preston Smith, CB DeAngelo Hall, CB Chris Culliver, SS Duke Ihenacho, FS Dashon Goldson

Browns Offense: QB Josh McCown, RB Isaiah Crowell, WR Andrew Hawkins, WR Brian Hartline, TE Gary Barnidge, FB Malcolm Johnson, LT Joe Thomas, LG Joel Bitonio, C Alex Mack, RG John Greco, RT Mitchell Schwartz

Browns Defense: DE Desmond Bryant, NT Phil Taylor, DE Randy Starks, OLB Paul Kruger, ILB Karlos Dansby, ILB Christian Kirksey, CB Joe Haden, CB Tramon Williams, SS Donte Whitner, FS Tashaun Gipson

Injury Report

Redskins: Out — WR DeSean Jackson, WR Jamison Crowder, TE Jordan Reed, TE Logan Paulsen, OLB Ryan Kerrigan, OLB Trevardo Williams, OLB Junior Galette, CB Bashaud Breeland, CB David Amerson, SS Jeron Johnson.

Browns: Out — WR Terrelle Pryor, WR Dwayne Bowe, RB Shaun Draughn, RB Duke Johnson, RB Glenn Winston, OLB Barkevious Mingo, CB Pierre Desir.

Also

All-time: Redskins lead preseason series, 9-3

Last preseason meeting: Aug. 18, 2014 (Redskins, 24-23)

Last regular-season meeting: Dec. 16, 2012 (Redskins, 38-21)

Notable connections: Redskins QB Colt McCoy played for the Browns from 2010 through 2012; Redskins LG Shawn Lauvao played for the Browns from 2010 through 2013; Browns RB Shaun Draughn was in training camp with the Redskins in 2011; Browns C Eric Olsen was on the Redskins’ practice squad in 2011; Browns CB Joe Haden is from Fort Washington, Md.; Browns coach Mike Pettine went to Virginia; Browns QB Johnny Manziel and Redskins CB Deshazor Everett played at Texas A&M in 2011 and 2012; Redskins TE Jordan Reed and Browns CB Joe Haden played at Florida in 2009.