Tag: ronnie hickman

Three former Ohio State football players featured in CBS Sports’ All-Rookie Team

Some good news for former Buckeyes. #GoBucks

It’s always great to look around the NFL and see former Ohio State football players finding success. This year, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud leading the Houston Texans to an AFC South title a year after winning just three games was one of the biggest storylines in the NFL.

Between Stroud, Puka Nacua, and many more it was a strong rookie class in the NFL this season. CBS Sports NFL writer, Chris Trapasso, recently released his 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team on Monday.

The list included three former Buckeyes which were Texans’ quarterback C.J. Stroud, Browns’ right tackle Dawand Jones, and Browns safety Ronnie Hickman.

Stroud’s success with the Texans has been well documented as he had a historically good rookie year as he even generated MVP buzz before missing two weeks with a concussion.

Jones was a fourth-round pick to Cleveland and quickly was put into a starting role after Jack Conklin went down with a season-ending knee injury.  He stepped up big time in particular as a pass protector in his 11 appearances before a knee injury in week 13 unfortunately ended his season.

Hickman was signed by the Browns after going undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft. He earned a roster spot with a strong preseason where had three interceptions. When Grant Delpit went out with a groin injury, Hickman stepped into a bigger role and has found success most notably with a pick six in a week 17 matchup with the Jets on Thursday Night Football.

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Watch: Former Ohio State defender Ronnie Hickman gets pick six on Thursday Night Football

Hickman has been a difference maker for Cleveland recently. #GoBucks

Former Ohio State defender, Ronnie Hickman, has stepped into a starting role with the Cleveland Browns after an injury to Grant Delpit and has played exceptionally thanks in large part due to a pick six against the Jets on Thursday Night Football.

Hickman was a two-year starter for the Buckeyes and was a consistent presence for the Ohio State defense playing in a hybrid linebacker safety role. He was named to all Big Ten teams in both of his seasons of starting in 2021 and 2022.

After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft, Hickman won a roster spot after recording three interceptions in the preseason. He continues to prove that he deserved to get drafted with a phenomenal play to read the eyes of Jets quarterback Trevor Siemian for the interception before reserving fields to the return to bring it back to the house for six.

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4 Downs: The Browns are heading to the playoffs after win vs. Jets

Next stop: Playoffs.

After defeating the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football, the Cleveland Browns are headed to the playoffs. Quarterback Joe Flacco continues his hot streak, rookie safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. continues to be a revelation off the bench, and the Browns have now won four games in a row.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski, who entered the week with the best odds to win NFL Coach of the Year, may have just solidified himself at the top of the running for the award he has already won once before. Still holding firmly onto the fifth seed in the AFC, the Browns still have a shot to win the AFC North with some help from the Miami Dolphins this weekend.

The Browns now have 10 days until they close their regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals.

In a playoff-clinching 4 Downs, here are the biggest takeaways from this 20-37 win over the Jets to advance to 11-5 on the season.

You deserve this, Cleveland.

Browns S Juan Thornhill a game-time scratch, Ronnie Hickman will start vs. Jaguars

The Browns have scratched safety Juan Thornhill at game-time. Undrafted rookie Ronnie Hickman will start against the Jaguars

Just as the game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars get set for kickoff, safety Juan Thornhill has been scratched from the game with a calf injury. Thornhill entered the game with a questionable game designation with an injury that has plagued him all season. Undrafted rookie safety Ronnie Hickman will start in his place.

This is the second member of the Cleveland secondary to be ruled out in this game as cornerback Denzel Ward will also miss his third straight game as well. Veteran safety Rodney McLeod has also been ruled out for the season with a bicep injury.

With insurmountable injuries on both sidelines, the Browns and Jaguars are both limping to the finish line in this game. Can the Browns continue to fight through these injuries and find their way to their eighth win on the season?

If they do, they will hold a firm grasp on a playoff spot.

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Browns announce Deshaun Watson, Cedric Tillman, 5 others as inactive vs. Seahawks

The Browns have announced their gameday inactives against the Seahawks.

The Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks are now just 90 minutes from kickoff as these two 4-2 teams get set to lock horns. And just as teams do an hour and a half before kickoff every week, the Browns have released their list of inactive players for this Week 8 bout. The announced inactives are of course headlined by quarterback Deshaun Watson as P.J. Walker will see the field for the third straight week. The other notable inactive is rookie wide receiver Cedric Tillman, who has been active in every game he has been healthy in.

This could be due to the need to bring up a practice squad offensive tackle in Ty Nsekhe. While Jedrick Wills is expected to start in this one, the Browns have added another offensive lineman to their gameday roster for added security.

Here is the full list of inactive players dropped by the Browns 90 minutes before kickoff. Can they grind out another tough win and advance to 5-2 on the season?

Browns Inactives: Ethan Pocic and David Njoku both playing vs. 49ers

As the Browns release their inactives, both David Njoku and Ethan Pocic will play despite their questionable game status

We are just under 90 minutes away from this Week 6 showdown between the beat-up Cleveland Browns and the San Francisco 49ers. The Browns will start P.J. Walker at quarterback in this game as Deshaun Watson is inactive for the second straight game. Positive for the Browns, however, is that both questionable players in tight end David Njoku and center Ethan Pocic are active despite lingering injuries.

All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio will also miss this game, breaking a streak of 102 straight games he has played for the Browns. Michael Dunn is expected to start in his absence, and rookie center Luke Wypler is active for the first time this season as Pocic remains hampered despite playing against this NFC juggernaut.

Can the Browns shock the world in this one?

Here are the gameday inactives for the Browns, led by Watson and Bitonio, who the Browns are hopeful will be back next week as they take on the Indianapolis Colts.

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.

Amari Cooper, Juan Thornhill active vs. Steelers as Browns name 5 inactives

The Browns get big news heading up to gametime

The Cleveland Browns get some great news as they get set to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Just 90 minutes away from this AFC North showdown on Monday Night Football, wide receiver will be active and play in this one after tweaking his groin late in the week. Safety Juan Thornhill will also make his Cleveland debut after missing the first week of the season with a calf injury.

This is a huge boost for a team looking to get off to not only a 2-0 start for the first time in 30 years, but to a 2-0 start in the AFC North as well. With a win, the Browns would sit atop the AFC North, taking the tiebreaker over the Baltimore Ravens (who they will play in Week 4) with more divisional wins.

With just about an hour until kickoff, the Browns have listed five players as inactive. Here is the full list.

Ohio State football starts Josh Proctor at free safety against Indiana

The Buckeyes have made their choice at safety #GoBucks

Coming into Week 1 most of the starters for [autotag]Ohio State football[/autotag] were set, but the starting free safety spot was still up for grabs.

True freshman [autotag]Malik Hartford[/autotag], Syracuse transfer [autotag]Ja’Had Carter[/autotag] and sixth year veteran [autotag]Josh Proctor[/autotag] were options to start. All three were expected to play against Indiana.

Well, that question has been answered. Proctor was on the field for the Buckeyes’ first defensive series of the game.

The senior has a great deal of experience for the Buckeyes. He was a starter on the 2020 team that went to the national title game and entered 2021 as a starter but his season ended with a leg injury in Week 2.

Last season he started four of first five games of the season before seeing his role get diminished with [autotag]Ronnie Hickman[/autotag], [autotag]Lathan Ransom[/autotag] and [autotag]Tanner McCalister[/autotag] getting the majority of the snaps at safety.

Proctor is playing well. He has a tackle for loss on each of Indiana’s first two drives, but I expect Hartford and Carter to also get snaps. The free safety starting job could remain a question mark throughout the beginning stage of the season.

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