BEREA, Ohio — Hype and hyperbole aside, defense was the strength of the Cleveland Browns in training camp and preseason. The offense struggled to score in practice and in the games that didn’t count.

Three weeks into the season, it is the defense that is struggling.

The team’s bye comes earlier than coach Mike Pettine would prefer, but nevertheless he is using this week to figure out why the Browns have already given up 77 points this season. He said lineup changes are a possibility, although he is limited because presumably he already has his best players starting. The only injury of any significance is to running back Ben Tate, who might be able to play against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 5 after injuring his knee in the opener.

Pettine is particularly unhappy about the run defense. Opponents are averaging 5.2 yards a carry. Defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil wants the pass rush to be a strength of the defense, but for that to happen, the run defense must be strong to put opponents in third-and-long, he said. That has not happened.

“The run thing is disappointing,” Pettine said. “Every run play that we give up, every explosive play we give up, we evaluate. Was it technique? Was it scheme? Was it talent? Over time as you build, you start to see some trends.

“If it’s scheme, you either fix the call or take it out. If it’s technique, you address it on the practice field as far as making sure you get that technique worked, repped, perfected. Then, if it’s talent, you could replace a guy or not put him in a position to have to make that play.”

Outside linebacker Paul Kruger, one of the most improved players on the team, has two sacks in three games. He had four all of last season. Pressure from Kruger on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees resulted in safety Tashaun Gipson making an interception Sept. 14. Pressure from Kruger on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco resulted in another pick by Gipson last Sunday.

Kruger, though, is taking it upon himself to make the run defense better during the bye. He said the Browns are making fundamental errors that lead to big plays, such as a 38-yard touchdown run by the Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell in the opener and a 31-yard run by Ravens rookie running back Lorenzo Taliaferro last week.

“It’s really just a couple things here, a couple things there,” Kruger said. “It’s just really simple stuff that we can get corrected on the field. Missed tackles, things like that, just kind of all over the board. It isn’t one particular thing.

“I think (being out of position) was definitely a part of the problem (against Baltimore). I know for me, a couple times I was out of position. Those are just mistakes you can’t make against a good team.”

Another issue Pettine is dealing is an unexpected problem. He is contemplating replacing long snapper Christian Yount before the Browns visit the Titans. Yount, signed on Nov. 29, 2011, because Ryan Pontbriand suddenly became unreliable, made a high snap on an aborted extra-point attempt against the Saints.

A week later, two low snaps contributed to field-goal attempts by Billy Cundiff being botched. A 50-yard try hit the left upright, and a 36-yard attempt was blocked.

“I talked with (Browns special teams coordinator Chris Tabor) about it,” Pettine said. “That’s something we’ll look to address. I don’t know if it calls for change, but it’s to be discussed.”

Yount was still snapping Wednesday. Pettine said snappers will be auditioned during the bye, for now he is leaning toward giving Yount another chance.

Yount knows his job might be on the line, but he says he can’t worry about it.

“I have no control over that,” Yount said. “I’m just going go out and practice like I always do.”

Yount signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted rookie in 2011. He was on the street for about a month before the Browns signed him.

NOTES: RB Ben Tate rode a stationary bike during practice Wednesday. The Browns hope he will be able to resume practice next week. He has not practiced since getting hurt in the first half of the opener. … G John Greco (sore elbow) did not practice. … DE John Hughes (hamstring) also missed practice.