Browns set injury designations for playoff matchup vs. Texans
Things are clicking at the right time for the Cleveland Browns, as they’ll be have a chance to be as healthy as they’ve been in quite some time in the Wild Card. On Thursday, Cleveland ruled out WR Cedric Tillman (concussion) and K Dustin Hopkins (hamstring), but everyone else will have a chance to go. […]
Things are clicking at the right time for the Cleveland Browns, as they’ll be have a chance to be as healthy as they’ve been in quite some time in the Wild Card.
On Thursday, Cleveland ruled out WR Cedric Tillman (concussion) and K Dustin Hopkins (hamstring), but everyone else will have a chance to go. Amari Cooper practiced on Thursday for the first time this week after saying that he would be ready to go for Saturday. Tillman and Hopkins were the only players that did not practice on Thursday.
Cleveland did designate S Grant Delpit to return from the injured reserve and he has practiced this week, but they’ve yet to activate him. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said he is trending in the right way but it is too early, he is out.
Questionable for Cleveland is CB Denzel Ward, CB Mike Ford, RB Pierre Strong, and S Juan Thornhill.
Ward’s injury popped up on Thursday and Stefanski says it is a knee injury. Cleveland’s top cornerback was limited on Thursday.
With Hopkins out, that means that Cleveland is down a weapon. Hopkins has been one of the best kickers in the NFL this season and an automatic 8-for-8 on kicks from at least 50 yards. With Hopkins out, Cleveland will bring up Riley Patterson to kick for the third time this season from the practice squad. Patterson made his only field goal attempt for Cleveland this season and is 6-of-7 on extra points.
David Bell is going to get more opportunity with the rookie Tillman sidelined. Bell scored two of his four touchdowns in the season last week against the Bengals. The second-year player will fill the third wideout spot.
The NFL did the Browns a big favor for the 2024 season
There is at least an upside to the toughness of the schedule.
