Tag: Luke Wypler

How the Browns will handle Luke Wypler and other injured players

You could see some roster manipulation underway

Despite being carted off with an ankle injury in the first preseason game, the Cleveland Browns still have yet to put second-year center Luke Wypler on Injured Reserve.

And you might be asking why they haven’t made that move yet, and the answer is really simple. If a player were to be placed on IR before making the 53-man roster, they would be subject to waivers.

After a rule change this offseason, however, that is not the case for every team, but it is for the Browns. The NFL added a rule change that two players can be kept on the PUP, Injured Reserve, or non-football injury list without ending up being placed on the 53-man roster first who could still be designated for return.

For the Browns, however, they already have two in running backs Nick Chubb and Nyheim Hines, who are not coming off of those lists by cutdown day. This means they still need to clear a roster spot for the likes of Wypler and others who may be heading to IR.

This could cause them to cut a player they want to keep to get Wypler a roster spot before moving him over to IR. A year ago, the Browns circumvented that issue by having gentlemen’s agreements with two vested veterans who would not be exposed to waivers.

Last year, the Browns cut defensive tackle Maurice Hurst and offensive guard Michael Dunn. It was then learned the Browns had agreements with both players to bring them back as soon as a player on the 53-man roster was moved to IR and a roster spot had opened back up again. We could see similar movements with similar players this year.

This type of roster manipulation only works with veterans who have logged four or more years of service time, however, anyone who is not vested would be exposed to the waiver wire for any team to put a claim in on. This only works with players the Browns have some assurances they can bring back right away.

So who are some candidates who fit this bill of players who could hit IR? Wypler is the big one after what looked to be a significant injury. The Browns got five players back off of injured lists who did not practice all summer, so those players like offensive tackles Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills will not count toward the list.

The number is pretty small this year, but if you see a player like Dunn or Hurst get cut, just remember not to panic as they could be back soon.

Browns bring back a familiar face after injury to Luke Wypler

Welcome back, Nick!

The Cleveland Browns have struck a trade to bring back center Nick Harris with the Seattle Seahawks. This comes just one day after the ankle injury to second-year player Luke Wypler, one that will require surgery.

The Browns are sending a 2026 sixth round pick to the Seahawks in exchange for Harris, who just signed as a free agent in Seattle this past offseason, and a 2026 seventh round pick. Another typical Andrew Berry-style pick swap.

Harris was originally drafted by the Browns in the 2020 NFL draft in the fifth round. He has started four games in Cleveland, and even saw a significant amount of snaps as a fullback in 2023. Notably, Harris was etched in as the starting center in 2022 but suffered a season-ending injury on the first drive of the first preseason game that year.

Now, he returns to Cleveland penned in as the backup center after the injury to Wypler. A familiar facility, familiar faces, and a similar scheme, Harris should fit right in.

Browns C Luke Wypler to have surgery on injured ankle

The second-year center needs surgery after his injury against the Packers

After a season with tremendous injury unluck, the bug has already struck the Cleveland Browns again, as center Luke Wypler was carted off against the Green Bay Packers.

After the game, head coach Kevin Stefanski was fast to mention that Wypler will be undergoing surgery following the injury to his ankle. There is no timetable on his return, but he will undoubtedly be placed on Injured Reserve once he is placed on the initial 53-man roster first.

For the Browns now, they are down two centers to injuries already as they were forced to release veteran Brian Allen with an injury designation during the first week of training camp. The Browns will likely have to dip back into the free agent market to find another interior offensive linemen that can play center as they currently do not have a backup to Ethan Pocic.

We wish Wypler nothing but the best and a speedy recovery from his surgery.

Browns C Luke Wypler carted off vs. Packers with severe ankle injury

Cleveland Browns center Luke Wypler exits Green Bay Packers game with a severe ankle injury.

Cleveland Browns backup center Luke Wypler exited the game against the Green Bay Packers with a severe leg injury. Wypler was carted off the field during the second quarter of the game. Wypler suffered the injury after multiple players rolled into the back of his leg while he was engaged in a block.

The Browns medical staff immediately put an air cast on Wypler’s leg as they loaded him onto the medical cart. Wypler was visibly shaken and his teammates on the offensive line were comforting him before they drove him off the field.

Wypler’s injury will throw the Browns’ offensive line room into disarray. After a successful rookie season, Wypler was penciled in as the backup center and the sixth offensive lineman in heavy personnel groupings.

The Browns must find a replacement for the promising player before the season starts. The team was already looking for centers after losing third-team center Brian Allen to IR with a calf injury.

PFF’s 10 highest-graded Browns’ offensive players vs. Bengals

The second team struggled for most of the day

On Sunday the Cleveland Browns played nearly none of their starters on the offensive line against the Cincinnati Bengals to wrap up the regular season. In preparation for the playoffs, Kevin Stefanski opted to rest his starters and get them healthier for what they hope is a deep playoff run.

Jeff Driskel became the fifth different quarterback to start for the Browns in what has been a rollercoaster of a season. He struggled for the first three quarters without much production although he did have a few good throws in the fourth quarter including two touchdowns to wide receiver David Bell.

Cleveland did get an extended look at rookie Luke Wypler who played out of position at guard and did so rather well for a first career start. More good stuff from Nick Harris who was back at center with Ethan Pocic resting for the postseason overall the depth on the offensive line had a decent outing.

Here are the Top 10 performances from the regular season finale according to PFF.

Browns: Denzel Ward, Dorian Thompson-Robinson headline inactives vs. Rams

The Browns have announced their inactives against the Rams, headlined by Denzel Ward and Dorian Thompson-Robinson

The Cleveland Browns are all but ready for kickoff for their Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The Browns have announced their inactives for the game ahead of this matchup. Their obvious losses are headlined by quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, still in the concussion protocol after a late hit last week, and cornerback Denzel Ward, who has missed his second straight game with an ailing shoulder.

Other than that, the rest of the Cleveland inactives are standard as they have been throughout the season. The Browns have continued to ease their rookies onto the field, as only wide receiver Cedric Tillman and right tackle Dawand Jones have seen significant playing time in 2023. Given the injuries in the secondary, both rookies Kahlef Hailassie and Ronnie Hickman are active against the Rams today.

Here are all the inactives for the Browns today as they look to rebound and advance to 8-4 on the season in Los Angeles.

Browns Inactives: Juan Thornhill in, Anthony Walker Jr. out vs. Broncos

The Browns have announced their inactives as Juan Thornhill will play. Anthony Walker Jr. is out against the Broncos

Coming into this Week 12 matchup against the Denver Broncos, the Cleveland Browns saw two starters with questionable designations. Safety Juan Thornhill and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. were not 100 percent to give it a go this week in practice. However, as the Browns release their inactives list, Thornhill will play in the Mile High City, while Walker Jr. will miss this matchup against the 5-5 Broncos.

Look for Sione Takitaki to start at MIKE linebacker in Walker Jr.’s absence, with Tony Fields II taking over as SAM (Takitaki’s usual post). The Browns did get linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk back from Injured Reserve this week as well to soften the blow of Walker Jr.’s nagging hamstring. To help fill the void of their missing defensive backs, the Browns also brought up two young guns from the practice squad.

Here is the full list of inactives as the Browns look to make it four straight, taking on the Broncos on the road.

Juan Thornhill, Marquise Goodwin headline Browns’ inactives vs. Steelers

The Browns will take on the Steelers without Juan Thornhill and Marquise Goodwin today.

The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers are getting set in a clash of 6-3 AFC North teams looking for the edge. The Browns will not only be without quarterback Deshaun Watson for the rest of the season, but they will be without wide receiver Marquise Goodwin and safety Juan Thornhill as well.

This means that undrafted free agent safety Ronnie Hickman will dress in this one, and wide receivers Cedric Tillman and David Bell may see more targets coming their way.

Goodwin and Thornhill are just two of the inactives announced by the Browns in this Week 11 matchup as they look to jump to 7-3 on the season. The Steelers will be without safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive tackle Montravious Adams, and safety Keeanu Neal in this showdown at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Here is the full list of inactives released by the Browns as they prepare to get another win at home with Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center.

Browns announce Deshaun Watson and a plethora of rookies as inactive vs. Ravens

The Browns have announced their inactives for today’s matchup against the Ravens including quarterback Deshaun Watson

The Cleveland Browns are just about set to take on the Baltimore Ravens in this Week 4 AFC North showdown, and they will be doing so without their starting quarterback. Deshaun Watson has been ruled out in this game due to a contusion on his throwing shoulder as the Browns will now give him through the bye to rest. This means Dorian Thompson-Robinson will get the start for the Browns as they look to advance to 3-1 on the season and 2-1 in the division.

As they do every week, the Browns have announced the rest of their inactives 90 minutes before game time. This week’s list of inactives is nearly identical to the previous weeks as well. One big name omitted is tight end David Njoku, as he will play despite sustaining burns on his arms and face during a fire pit accident at his home on Friday night.

Here is the full list of inactives the Browns have announced.

Browns announce Greg Newsome II, James Hudson III, other inactives vs. Titans

The Browns have announced their six inactives against the Titans, including Greg Newsome II and James Hudson III

The Cleveland Browns are just about set to take the field at Cleveland Browns Stadium as they look to advance to 2-1 on the season. They will be taking on the Tennessee Titans today, who are also looking to advance to 2-1 on the season. Just as they do every week 90 minutes before kickoff, the Browns have announced their inactives from the gameday roster. This week, this list of six players is highlighted by cornerback Greg Newsome II and offensive tackle James Hudson III.

Other than that, the Browns have listed four rookies who are buried on the depth chart as gameday inactives to join the injured cornerback and offensive tackle. As the Browns look to squeeze out a win at home, they will likely depend more on rookie cornerback Cameron Mitchell to take on the workload in the nickel. They also promoted veteran tackle Ty Nsehke from the practice squad to serve as the reserve lineman in this game as well.

Here is the full list of the six players who will not suit up against the Titans today.