Tag: Willie Harvey

Browns add Willie Harvey to help linebacker depth

The Browns lost a LB and decided to replace him with a familiar face.

With Jacob Phillips reportedly tearing his bicep, Sione Takitaki dealing with a hamstring issue and Mack Wilson nursing a shoulder injury, the Cleveland Browns are quite thin at the linebacker spot. Rookie Tony Fields remains out with a foot issue as well.

Veteran Anthony Walker is back from his knee injury sustained earlier in camp but the Browns have been cautious with most players who have been hurt.

With the New York Giants in town for joint practices before Sunday’s preseason game, Cleveland is lacking in players at the position to give the Giants appropriate looks leading to the team bringing back Willie Harvey:

 

As Rapoport noted, Harvey was with the Browns in 2019, playing in two games. While the team will have to cut five more players early next week, Harvey could have a chance to earn a roster spot if linebacker injuries continue to linger.

Updated Browns 53-man roster prediction after opt-outs

Updated Browns 53-man roster prediction after opt-outs and additions

The projections for the Cleveland Browns 53-man roster were blown out of the water before the players even got on the field. Two players who were definitely making the final 53-man roster, OG Drew Forbes and DT Andrew Billings, opted out.

Three other Browns also opted out, though only guard Colby Gossett was a serious contender to make the final roster. The shifting on the offensive line changes the projection calculus.

Here’s where we’re at now with the 53-man projection…

QB – 3

Big change here. Garrett Gilbert now makes the final spot after being omitted earlier.

RB – 4

Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D’Ernest Johnson, Dontrell Hilliard. No change.

FB – 1

Andy Janovich. No change.

TE – 4

Austin Hooper, David Njoku, Harrison Bryant, Stephen Carlson. No change.

WR – 5

Odell Beckham Jr. Jarvis Landry, KhaDarel Hodge, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones. Dropped one here to make room for the extra QB. Sorry, Damion Ratley.

OL – 9

We know the starting five will be (L-R) Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin. Chris Hubbard, Nick Harris and Kendall Lamm are the current reserves. I don’t think the ninth lineman is currently in Cleveland, with apologies to Evan Brown and Willie Wright. They’ll both make the practice squad and the liberal new rules on call-ups.

DL – 9

Starters (L-R) are Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi, Sheldon Richardson, Olivier Vernon. Adrian Clayborn is a lock at DE, as is rookie DT Jordan Elliott. I think Chad Thomas will get every chance to prove he belongs with a new regime. I’ll add in Porter Gustin and Daniel Ekuale, though it wouldn’t surprise me if the ninth guy here is a nose tackle not currently on the roster.

LB – 5

No changes here. B.J. Goodson, Mack Wilson, Sione Takitaki, Jacob Phillips, Willie Harvey. That fifth spot is vulnerable to an outsider.

CB – 6

Swap in newcomer M.J. Stewart at the expense of UDFA A.J. Green, who will stick on the practice squad. Stewart joins Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, Kevin Johnson, Terrance Mitchell and Tavierre Thomas, who is the Browns’ best special teams player.

S – 4

No change. Grant Delpit, Andrew Sendejo, Karl Joseph, Sheldrick Redwine. There could be a fifth here in J.T. Hassell, who can also double at OLB.

Specialist – 3

Not even a competition this year for PK Austin Seibert or P Jamie Gillan, with LS Charley Hughlett back for more as well.