Category: Latest Browns News

Amari Cooper injury (ankle) update expected Tuesday

Hoping for a positive update on Cooper’s injury Tuesday after going down in practice Monday:

Perhaps lost in the midst of the conversation around QB Deshaun Watson’s six game suspension is that the Cleveland Browns continued training camp on Monday. Kicker Cade York continues to impress, OL Jack Conklin came off the physically unable to perform list and the roster had a wide receiver swap.

Unfortunately, practice also included another wide receiver injury. This time to the team’s top receiver, Amari Cooper. Cooper went down with what looked like an ankle injury. He was tended to by trainers then stood on the sidelines toward the end of practice.

That Cooper wasn’t taken into the locker room and was able to stand for the remainder of practice is a good sign. HC Kevin Stefanski did not have an update on Monday. “I have not gotten the full report yet,” he said. “I will update you guys tomorrow (Tuesday), but I do not know.”

Cooper’s arrival was an important one for Cleveland’s offense. The former Dallas Cowboy gave the team a true #1 receiver and a player who can make plays all over the field. If Cooper’s injury is serious, Donovan Peoples-Jones would be forced into that top spot again with very limited options on the free agent market.

We look forward to an update on Cooper’s injury today.

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Cade York impressing early in training camp

Another day, more perfection from the Browns 4th round kicker who continues to make field goals including long ones:

One of the most important additions to the Cleveland Browns may have come in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft. After a couple of trade downs during the event left the team with extra selections, the Browns used one of those selections to draft York.

While a fourth-round pick, especially as low as #124, is not expected to have an instant impact on a team, York could be the exception. Along with DT Perrion Winfrey, York made the preseason ‘All-Rookie Team‘ prediction from NFL.com.

During offseason activities, York was impressive. He even knocked in an over 60-yard field goal at the Berea complex.

Training camp has brought more of the same for the kicker. Saturday, perfect:

Monday, perfect:

We get a little bit of a look at that long field goal that crosses the goal post above the video, highlighting just how far it really went:

Outside of QB Deshaun Watson and WR Amari Cooper, York’s addition could be the most important for the team this year. So far so good in practice. Now we wait to see it in a game.

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Browns waive injured WR Isaiah Weston, sign WR Derrick Dillon

Weston waived and his replacement was signed as the Browns continue to adjust to numerous WR injuries:

While the Cleveland Browns have been the focal point of the news on Monday, they went back to work with business as usual. The team now knows that QB Deshaun Watson will be suspended for six games, barring an appeal and change by the league.

QB Jacoby Brissett will lead the way in Watson’s absence.

Earlier today, we reported that OL Jack Conklin was coming off the physically unable to perform list. Conklin’s presence will help Brissett early in the year as the right tackle returns from a season-ending knee injury last year.

Cleveland also waived WR Isaiah Weston a couple of days after he was hurt in practice. Weston could be claimed by another team. If not, the undrafted free agent will be placed on the Browns injured reserve.

Weston’s replacement was added to the team’s 90-man roster with WR Derrick Dillon officially signed by the team. Dillon was brought in earlier this offseason in the same workout that led QB Josh Rosen to be signed.

Standing 5’11”, Dillon is known for his speed. He ran a 4.29 at LSU’s pro day. Already 26, Dillon left LSU in 2019 with 51 catches in 31 career games.

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Haslams make statement on Deshaun Watson’s suspension

The Haslams’ statement is short and is similar to their earlier statements about Watson:

The Cleveland Browns hope that they have some certainty with QB Deshaun Watson now that Judge Sue Robinson has rendered her decision. The six-game suspension could be appealed by the NFL leading to a stronger punishment.

For now, Watson will miss the first six games of the 2022 season returning to practice with the team in Week 4 of the season. QB Jacoby Brissett will run the show until Watson returns.

While the NFLPA, in conjunction with Watson, released a statement last night that they would not appeal Robinson’s decision, we have not heard from the quarterback in a month and a half. It has been even longer since we heard from ownership. Monday, Dee and Jimmy Haslam released a statement:

The Haslams’ statement is in line with the last time they spoke shortly after Watson’s arrival in Cleveland.

While the Haslams’ statement notes Watson is “remorseful,” the quarterback has denied that he has done anything wrong in the situation:

Outside of the completion of the investigation, nothing has changed since the Browns acquired Watson. The organization was behind the move and the player at that time and, seemingly, will continue to be moving forward.

Fans, on the other hand, have not been in lockstep with the organization with many opposing Watson as a member of the team.

According to the public relations department, we will hear from both the Haslams and GM Andrew Berry after the appeals process, if the NFL decides to appeal.

Report: Jack Conklin to come off PUP list Monday

Some very good news in Berea, especially this early in training camp, with the team’s right tackle coming off PUP:

While the sports world swirls around the announcement of QB Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension, the Cleveland Browns prepare to kick off another training camp practice. After taking off Sunday, the Browns are back on the field on Monday.

Outside of Watson’s suspension, injury concerns have been the key storyline in Berea this year. First, WR David Bell was unable to perform then a number of veterans were added to different lists, keeping them out of practice.

Later, WR Anthony Schwartz was injured and Saturday WR Isaiah Weston went down with what looks to be a major injury.

Monday came with some good news as the team informed reporters that OL Jack Conklin would be coming off the physically unable to perform list (PUP) and back to practice.

Conklin was lost early in the 2021 season with a knee injury and restructured his contract to return to the team this year. HC Kevin Stefanski said his starting right tackle was diligent this offseason working out in Berea to return healthy.

Getting Conklin back healthy this quickly into camp is a huge boost for the team’s offense, especially with QB Jacoby Brissett taking over for the first six games of the year.

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Another WR down: Weston leaves on cart, significant injury feared

Another WR goes down with an injury, this time feared to be serious:

Injuries are a part of football. A very physical sport with very big people moving very fast is bound to lead to people getting hurt. When injuries become problematic is either when they hit the top-level players on a team or when they hit a specific position group especially hard.

For the Cleveland Browns, the latter has been a problem during the first week of training camp. The wide receiver position, which wasn’t considered overall deep to begin with, has been hit with a few important injuries.

The first two, David Bell and Anthony Schwartz, are not expected to be major but could cost each player important practice time. For Bell as a rookie, early assimilation is important. For Schwartz, getting confidence back after a rough rookie year would be vital.

On Saturday another injury happened at the position with Isaiah Weston being carted off with what seemed to be something serious:

According to Brad Stainbrook, the injury is to his ACL but may not be a complete tear.

Weston was a very interesting undrafted free agent addition for the team. At 6’3″, Weston ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. He has the best athletic score of all receivers since 1987.

With the Browns off on Sunday, we are unlikely to get official word from the team until they return on Monday.

Browns Day 3 highlights including the ‘Alpha Dawgs’ showing up

With the Browns turning to 7-on-7 drills Friday, the ‘Alpha Dawgs’ get some highlights as well:

The Cleveland Browns continue to roll through their ramp-up to their first preseason game on day three of training camp. We’ve heard some interesting things and seen some fun highlights so far as the slow march to the regular season pushes on.

For all NFL teams, staying healthy in training camp is key. The Browns started camp with a few players unable to perform which started with WR David Bell. On day two, WR Anthony Schwartz had a scary injury but we found out on Friday that it ended up being minor.

With 7-on-7 drills starting on day three, we get a chance to see highlights from both sides of the ball. Safety John Johnson III introduced us to the concept of the “Alpha Dawgs” and now they get to show up in practice:

Anthony Schwartz injury update is positive one day later

Good news for Schwartz after a concerning non-contact injury yesterday:

The Cleveland Browns can seemingly breathe a sigh of relief as WR Anthony Schwartz did not have a serious injury on Thursday. Schwartz went down with a non-contact injury during practice and was holding his knee as he walked off gingerly with medical staff.

Friday morning, during the walkthrough, Schwartz was present with just a wrap around his knee. HC Kevin Stefanski discussed the injury to start his press conference.

“Injury update: Schwartzy (WR Anthony Schwartz) is day to day with a knee strain,” Stefanski said. “We will see how that goes over the next couple of days. I think he will be OK certainly long term.”

The coach later noted that Schwartz will be ready to play in Week 1 and was considered “day to day” at this time.

Despite WR David Bell being on the physically unable to perform list and Schwartz’s injury, Stefanski noted that the team is not looking to bring in reinforcements at the position.

With Schwartz and Bell down, Ja’Marcus Bradley, Michael Woods II and Isaiah Weston will get more chances while Demetric Felton also continues to work with the receivers.

Good news for Schwartz and the Browns on day three of camp and hope that he can return relatively quickly from the knee strain.

Browns claim former Cleveland DB Moffatt off waivers from Jets

Day 3 of training camp and Berry is already active with a waiver claim to bring back the DB that was with the team the last two years:

Not only has GM Andrew Berry been aggressive during his time in charge of the Cleveland Browns but he’s also been very active. Berry believes in churning the bottom of the roster to find the right players and fit for his team which leads to many transactions throughout the season.

The Browns practice squad is also regularly in flux under Berry’s watch.

As the team finishes up day three of training camp, they were awarded DB Jovante Moffatt off the waiver wire from the New York Jets.

In two seasons with Cleveland, Moffatt played in 14 games. During that time, Moffatt played in 164 snaps on special teams and 55 snaps on defense.

With John Johnson III, Grant Delpit and Ronnie Harrison, the top of the team’s safety depth chart is set. Second-year man Richard LeCounte III didn’t show much as a rookie.

Moffatt signed a future/reserved contract with New York this offseason. The Jets waived Moffatt on Thursday.