Cleveland Browns linebacker E.J. Gaines is not going to see action in this Sunday’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after getting placed in the concussion protocol on Thursday, Pat McManamon of ESPN reports.

Gaines was able to report in the morning but notified the Browns of symptoms that were later connected to a concussion.

Gaines’ looming absence does not bode well for the Browns’ air defense against the league’s No.1 passing offense. The Buccaneers are averaging 368.4 passing yards per game to go with an eighth-ranked average of 28.2 points per contest. On the flip side, the Browns are only 20th in the NFL with 268.3 passing yards surrendered per week. They’ve been worse in that area in their last three games, during which they allowed opponents to average over 307 passing yards.

Gaines isn’t the only cornerback the Browns are going to miss this Sunday. Also ruled out for the Bucs game is Terrance Mitchell, who fractured his forearm during a Week 4 meeting with the Oakland Raiders.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)

To address the issues on their banged-up secondary, the Browns will transplant T.J. Carrie from the nickel back slot to a starting cornerback position, while safety Briean Boddy-Calhoun is expected to fill the nickel spot.

E.J. Gaines signed a one-year deal worth $4 million with the Browns last March.