BEREA — Free safety Damarious Randall is certain the Browns are better than their 1-2-1 record suggests.

"We’re supposed to be 4-0, but we’re not going to sit here and harp on that," Randall said Wednesday as the team prepared for its home game against the Baltimore Ravens (3-1).

"We’ve got to leave no doubt. Like literally, like leave no doubt, and that’s what we plan on doing this Sunday."

Randall explained he's also better than he appears. Although he's been playing well while dealing with a badly bruised heel suffered Sept. 16 in a 21-18 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the injury has made a difference.

"There were plays when I go back and watch the film that I knew I would’ve reacted differently on if I had been healthy," he said.

Randall said he's been pushing through injuries ever since he began playing football as a kid because he can tolerate pain. This one occurred when he jumped and came down on the turf at the Superdome.

"It felt like I landed on some bricks," said Randall, an offseason trade acquisition from the Green Bay Packers.

Randall sat out Wednesday's practice. He has only participated in one practice (on a limited basis) since he suffered the injury.

Still, Randall received the highest ProFootballFocus.com grade of any safety in the NFL this past weekend. He has yet to miss a tackle and has allowed a passer rating of 52.6 when targeted this season, per PFF. He also has compiled 19 tackles, two interceptions, six passes defensed and a fumble recovery.

Coach Hue Jackson said Randall won't make his injury worse by playing on it.

"He's made some huge plays for us and covered some guys," Jackson said. "Even 80 percent Damarious Randall is really good for our football team."

One of Randall's favorite aspects of his position is the chess match he can play with quarterbacks. This week, he's readying for Joe Flacco, who's thrown eight touchdowns and two interceptions this season.

"You just see a more motivated guy, like a more confident guy, like a guy that seems like he’s healthy now 'cause I know the last few years that he was a little banged up with his back," Randall said. "But he seems healthy, and he seems like he’s ready to go."

Playful trash talk

Ravens safety Tony Jefferson told Baltimore reporters that Browns rookie quarterback and fellow University of Oklahoma product Baker Mayfield has been texting him lately.

"We were going back and forth, having fun a little bit," Jefferson said. "It’s going to be exciting going against an OU legend."

What did Mayfield text?

"He said, 'Hey, just watching this film, watching you guys hold,' " Jefferson said.

During Mayfield's conference call with Ravens beat writers, he said Jefferson is a great guy he has gotten advice from in the past.

"Now, just talking to him, wishing him good luck, just friendly trash talk, nothing more than that," Mayfield said.

Jefferson isn't the only Ravens defender who appreciates Mayfield's style.

"I like him," edge rusher Terrell Suggs told Baltimore reporters. "I like his swag, his edginess. As a fellow competitor, you have to respect that. I like his game and his fieriness — if that’s a word."

Lineup change

E.J. Gaines expects to start at cornerback for the Browns in place of Terrance Mitchell, who's on injured reserve with the surgically repaired right wrist he broke Sunday in a 45-42 overtime loss to the Oakland Raiders.

"It'll be my first start this year, so I'll go out there and make some plays for this team," said Gaines, who had an interception against the Raiders after Mitchell was hurt.

Gaines joined the Browns in March by signing a one-year, $4 million contract. He spent three seasons with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams when they were members of the Rams organization.

"It helps me a lot," Gaines said. "I've played in this scheme for four years now. I pretty much know what he's going to call.

"I'm confident in myself. This is my fifth year [in the NFL], so I'm confident in my ability to go out there and make some plays."

Other injury updates

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor fully participated in practice after being inactive Sunday with a back injury. Drew Stanton dressed as the backup quarterback behind Mayfield against the Raiders. Jackson said he expects Taylor to serve as the No. 2 quarterback against the Ravens, who drafted Taylor in the sixth round in 2011.

Wide receivers Jarvis Landry (knee) and Antonio Callaway (knee) didn't practice, but Jackson said he has "a great level of optimism" they'll be able to play Sunday.

Linebacker James Burgess (knee) remained idle.

Extra points

• Jackson said he won't consider firing coordinator Amos Jones to fix the problems on special teams. "No, I don't think I need to do that. I think I need to take my experience that I've had [coaching special teams] and use it and go over there and help," he said, adding the personnel on special teams could be shaken up against the Ravens.

• According to Footballoutsiders.com, the Ravens rank sixth in special teams and the Browns 32nd — last in the league. "[Special teams coordinator] Jerry Rosburg does an amazing job," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said during a conference call. "I think that he's the best in the business."

• The Browns signed undrafted rookie cornerback Arrion Springs to their practice squad. He entered the NFL in May by signing with the Kansas City Chiefs and spent training camp with them before being waived during final roster cuts. He's spent time on the practice squads of the Chiefs and Saints this season.

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his Browns coverage at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ByNateUlrich and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.