Tag: Jaelon Darden

Browns have options but no answer at return specialist

The Cleveland Browns will rely on a bevy of return specialists until Nyheim Hines recovers from his torn ACL.

The Cleveland Browns have one big question mark on their roster heading into the season opener. The Browns have many options at the returner spots but no answers. The team could not find a reliable returner after cut-day. The Browns do not list a punt returner on their official depth chart. The organization believes Nyheim Hines will be the starting returner once he returns from injury.

The Browns have a handful of choices for punt returners on their practice squad. James Proche II was the Browns’ primary returner last year. He returned 22 punts for 197 yards. Jaelon Darden, another receiver on the practice squad, returned four punts for 39 yards last year for the Browns. Darden was the best returner in the preseason. He returned six kickoffs for 170 yards and four punts for 23 yards.

Darden is a serviceable returner, but not a long-term option. The Browns will likely elevate one of the receivers to the game-day roster until Hines returns. 

The kick returners, Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr., leave much to be desired in the return game. Strong was the primary kick returner last season. He returned eight kicks for 200 yards. Strong’s impressive mix of speed and strength could make him a threat with the league’s new “Dynamic” kick return. 

The Browns will have to rely on a collective of return specialists at the start of the season. The Browns have a lot of faith that Hines will be the return specialist when he’s healthy. Hines tore his ACL in July of last year after a jet ski and their driver hit him. He is currently on the Non-Football Injury list and isn’t eligible to return until the season’s fifth game. The Browns must make do with the players in their organization until then. 

Browns elevate P.J. Walker and Jaelon Darden from practice squad vs. 49ers

Walker is set to get the start, with Darden replacing Cedric Tillman

The Cleveland Browns have promoted two players from their practice squad in preparation for their matchup with the undefeated San Francisco 49ers. With quarterback Deshaun Watson ruled out with a shoulder injury, P.J. Walker was elevated to from the practice squad to start this game. The team will also promote wide receiver Jaelon Darden to the active roster to replace Cedric Tillman who has been ruled out as well.

Walker is more experienced than Dorian Thompson-Robinson and after the rookie struggled against Baltimore it was clear he wasn’t ready to be the starter so they will turn to Walker. An athletic player who can push the ball down the field that teammates love playing with Walker could provide a spark and surprise some people if things align correctly on Sunday.

An interesting aspect of Jaelon Darden being called up is his ability to return kicks and punts. The team knows they will need special teams to help out the offense and calling up an explosive returner like Darden could help provide a spark for Cleveland.

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Browns part ways with WR Jaelon Darden as cutdowns continue

The Cleveland Browns release WR Jaelon Darden.

The Cleveland Browns continue to trim down their roster ahead of the 4:00 PM cut deadline. After cutting preseason standout Austin Watkins Jr., the Browns continue to widdle down the receiver room by cutting Jaelon Darden (according to The OBR’s Brad Stainbrook). The Browns claimed the young wide receiver off the waiver wire last December.

Darden spent most of his time on the roster being a healthy scratch, as the dynamic player learned the offense. Darden was activated in the final two games of the 2022 season, returning two punts and recording two offensive snaps. Jaelon Darden suffered a leg injury at the start of August that sidelined him for the month. Unfortunately, his stop here was marred by injuries. The Browns were hoping the electric receiver could be a contributor on special teams.

Hopefully, Darden will be able to stay healthy in the future. As the seasonal favorite cliche goes, “Availablity is the best ability.” I believe that Jaleon Darden can still develop into the dynamic threat he was at North Texas, but it won’t be with the Cleveland Browns.

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Browns: 5 offensive players with the most to gain in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game

Thursday is the prime chance for certain players to make a good impression on the coaching staff

The long wait for Cleveland Browns football is nearly over as they are set to play the New York Jets in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game Thursday night. Though you likely won’t see any starters or major contributors play on Thursday there are still plenty to watch for.

Borderline roster players will benefit from the extra game this year with more of an opportunity to prove themselves to the coaching staff. On top of players trying to make the roster in Cleveland, you have players who are just trying to make an impression on any team in the league to continue their journey.

Here’s a look at five offensive players that stand to gain the most from Thursday’s preseason game.

4 takeaways from Browns’ first depth chart of the 2023 season

What conclusions can we draw from the release of the initial depth chart?

The Cleveland Browns get set to take on the New York Jets on Thursday Night as they participate in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game. And on the heels of their preseason opener, the Browns have released their initial depth chart.

While it is unofficial and predominantly standard, there are a few key items that cause an eyebrow to raise from this depth chart. Here we discuss four things that stood out as the Browns are through one week of training camp and get set to take on the Jets.

Podcast: Predicting the Browns’ final 53-man roster prior to training camp

How does the roster shake out as camp opens?

With the remainder of the Cleveland Browns roster reporting to training camp the long NFL off-season has finally come to an end. The team will have its first practice at the Greenbrier on Sunday. A majority of the roster is likely set going into training camp outside of a few roster battles that’ll take place.

In this week’s podcast, I was joined by Dawg Pound Daily’s Randy Gurzi and Casey Kinnamon to predict how the 53-man rosters will play out barring injuries. You can watch this episode by clicking here to see what the four of us predict will happen in training camp with the return of Browns football.

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3 Browns players with the most to gain in training camp

Which players have the most to gain in the coming weeks of training camp?

Training camp practices kick off this week and the return of Cleveland Browns football is officially here. The team will head to The Greenbrier in West Virginia to start camp as they open a week earlier due to playing in the Hall of Fame game against the Jets on August third.

The Browns have added a ton of talent especially on the defensive line and in the wide receiver rooms. There are questions surrounding the defensive tackle room specifically with the preseason and training camp being perfect times for players to prove themselves.

Let’s take a look at the three players that I believe have the most to gain during training camp.

Browns announce 7 inactives, Jaelon Darden set to debut vs. Commanders

The Browns have announced their seven inactives as Jaelon Darden is set to make his debut

As the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders get set to go to battle on New Year’s Day, the away team has a slight advantage on paper. As the two sides get set for their matchup on the field, however, both teams have announced their inactives for the day. The Browns have announced their seven inactives, but not listed is wide receiver, Jaelon Darden. He is set to make his debut in the brown and orange after being claimed off of waivers a month ago.

Here are the seven inactives who will not dress for the Browns as they look to capture their seventh win on the season.

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Jadeveon Clowney, Demetric Felton lead six inactives vs. Saints

The Browns have announced their six inactives today

As the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints get set for their Christmas Eve showdown, the home team has announced their six inactives in this one. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is not a surprise inactive as he was ruled out with a concussion this week, but both wide receivers Jaelon Darden and Demetric Felton being shelved is a bit odd.

For the Saints, they will be without a handful of starters as wide receivers Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, linebacker Pete Werner, and defensive end Payton Turner will all miss this matchup against the Browns.

Who else was listed as inactive for the Browns? We take a look here.

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David Bell out, Jaelon Darden and 5 others listed as inactive vs. Ravens

The Browns have listed wide receivers David Bell and Jaelon Darden among their inactives today against the Ravens.

Dealing with both a toe and thumb injury this week, there was a good chance wide receiver David Bell would not be able to suit up against the Baltimore Ravens. That has now become a reality as he has been listed as inactive, along with fellow wide receiver Jaelon Darden. All-in-all, the Browns again list seven players who will not dress against the Ravens as they look to play spoilers now that their playoff hopes are all but gone.

Here is the full list of those who will not suit up today as the Browns look to get back in the win column against the Ravens.

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