CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Browns were widely expected to make a move on the offensive after struggling without injured center Alex Mack last week at Jacksonville.
Cleveland made that move official in Raiders pregame, announcing Nick McDonald -- who last played an NFL snap in 2012 -- will start at center, pushing John Greco to his more natural right guard spot. Greco played center last week in replace of Mack. Paul McQuistan moves to the sideline.
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound McDonald, 27, took snaps with quarterback Brian Hoyer in pregame. McDonald was on the non-football injury list until the Browns activated him Saturday. McDonald sat out in 2013 and was waived by the Chargers this offseason after suffering a wrist injury.
McDonald is familiar with the emergency starter role, starting two games at center for New England in 2011.
"You have to shake the rust off real quick," said McDonald this week about catching up to the Browns' offense. "It all ends up coming back to you, the speed of the game."
My take: A move that had to be made. McQuistan struggled mightily last week, and continuing to play him there would detract from Greco's skill set at right guard. McDonald has to be serviceable and steady, letting the rest of the equipped Browns line handle the rest.
