By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - The battered Cleveland Browns will be out to avoid further injury on Saturday night, when they make a short-handed trip to face the Detroit Lions in the third preseason game for both teams.

The Browns suffered a number of injuries in Monday's 37-34 loss to the New York Giants, and the short week preceding the trip to Detroit will help prevent those players from getting back onto the field.

Quarterback Derek Anderson (concussion), receiver/kick returner Joshua Cribbs (high ankle sprain), running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring), safety Brodney Pool (concussion), and outside linebacker Willie McGinest (groin) are among the Cleveland notables who will likely miss the all-important third preseason tilt, according to head coach Romeo Crennel.

That means second-year-pro Brady Quinn will make his first start of any kind on Saturday. Quinn, the 2007 first-round Draft pick out of Notre Dame, has had a strong training camp to date and could help elicit a quarterback controversy if he plays well in Detroit.

Quinn has completed 20-of-29 passes for 257 yards with a touchdown and an interception in losses to the Jets (24-20) and Giants, compiling a solid passer rating of 93.6 in the process.

Elsewhere on the injury front for Cleveland, wide receiver Braylon Edwards (foot) remains out, and tackle Shaun Rogers (undisclosed) should be back after a one-game absence.

Rogers played seven years with the Lions (2001-2007) before being dealt to Cleveland this past offseason.

While the Browns try to avoid the infirmary, the Lions will be attempting to continue the positive momentum they've accrued in preseason wins over the Giants (13-10) and Bengals (27-10).

Lions starting quarterback Jon Kitna has a perfect passer rating of 158.3 during the preseason to date, having completed nine of his 10 pass attempts for 182 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Wideout Calvin Johnson has also had a strong warm-up period, catching seven balls for 154 yards and a score.

Kitna threw a 27-yard touchdown strike to Johnson to open the scoring against the Bengals last week.

Still at issue for the Lions is the starting running back job, which should come into sharper focus this week. Rookie Kevin Smith (12 carries, 41 yards in the preseason), who has generally outplayed veteran Tatum Bell (12 carries, 17 yards), is expected to get the start in the backfield for Detroit.

Saturday's game will mark the 40th preseason battle between the Lions and Browns, with Detroit holding a 20-18-1 edge. Detroit won a 23-20 road decision prior to last season.