The Cleveland Browns were successful in 2020 despite a number of injuries. One of the first was when second-round pick Grant Delpit tore his Achilles tendon during his first training camp.
Delpit was expected to be the Browns starting safety next to Karl Joseph. His injury forced Andrew Sendejo to play far more than was expected and led general manager Andrew Berry to trade for Ronnie Harrison.
Going into 2021, gone are Joseph and Sendejo but Harrison returns. John Johnson III was the team’s big free-agent addition to join the safety room and now we have news that Delpit, just over 11 months removed from his injury, is cleared to practice:
Browns S Grant Delpit had also been cleared and won’t start the season on the PUP list.
The Browns are good to go.
— Nick Pedone (@NickPedone12) July 27, 2021
After getting news that Odell Beckham Jr. was also cleared to practice nine months after his injury, the Browns are looking to get most or all of their pieces healthy for camp.
With the additions of Harrison and Johnson since the team drafted Delpit, Cleveland is hoping to use three safety sets often. The team is hoping that those three will give them flexibility in coverage while also being able to help in run support and rush the passer.
That trio, along with the other additions on the defense, has helped buoy the Super Bowl hopes around the team. Health will determine the long-term outcome but the return of Delpit to practice is a good sign.