Cleveland Browns Roster
- AFC North
- Stadium
- FirstEnergy Stadium
- Head Coach
- Kevin Stefanski
- Offensive Coordinator
- Alex Van Pelt
- Defensive Coordinator
- Joe Woods
- Special Teams Coach
- Mike Priefer
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
The NFL and NFL Players Association have been involved in active settlement negotiations over the past few days in the disciplinary matter for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly. It's unknown if a compromise will be reached before NFL designee Peter C. Harvey issues a ruling on the league's appeal of Watson's six-game suspension levied by NFL disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson. Sources have expressed optimism that a deal will get worked out, likely because a potentially significant discipline is expected to be handed down by Harvey. "Harvey could drop the hammer on Watson," a source said. "That's why a settlement is a better outcome, even if it's more than six games and includes a multi-million dollar fine." Watson will be facing at least a six-game suspension and likely more, dropping his fantasy value significantly entering the 2022 season. Stay tuned for more.
The Cleveland Browns have claimed wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. off waivers from the New Orleans Saints. The 25-year-old was reportedly having a good camp with the Saints. Despite that, the team has decided to move on from the former Washington State Huskies wideout. The Browns are in need of another receiver with Jakeem Grant Sr. (Achilles) done for the season. Possibly, Winston makes the team as a special teams player. It's unlikely Winston gets significant snaps on offense unless multiple injuries happen. He can be ignored in fantasy formats right now.
An MRI exam confirmed that Cleveland Browns center Dawson Deaton (knee) suffered a torn ACL in training camp practice on Monday, according to sources. It's a tough break for the Browns at an important position after starter Nick Harris (knee) went down the other day with a likely season-ending injury. Ethan Pocic, Brock Hoffman and Hjalte Froholdt are the remaining players at the position for Cleveland, with Pocic likely to be the starter heading into the 2022 regular season. Deaton, a rookie out of Texas Tech, will miss all of this year. It's more bad news for a Browns offense that continues to wait on a potential season-long suspension for quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Cleveland Browns starting center Nick Harris (knee) will likely need season-ending surgery on his right knee for an injury that he suffered in Friday's preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Harris was replaced in Friday's game by Ethan Pocic, who signed a one-year, $1.187 million deal in March. Brock Hoffman, an undrafted rookie from Virginia Tech, is the only other center on the team's training camp roster. It remains to be seen if the Browns will look to re-sign JC Tretter, their starter the last five seasons, after they released him in a cost-cutting move in March. Pocic was a second-round pick in 2017 by the Seattle Seahawks, and he started 40 of his 57 games played in Seattle. It's bad news for the Browns offense, especially with quarterback Deshaun Watson's potential season-long suspension looming.
The Cleveland Browns activated cornerback Denzel Ward (foot) off the Physically Unable to Perform list on Monday, clearing him to begin practicing with the team at training camp. Ward wasn't able to practice with the team to begin camp this summer, but the expectation is that he'll be ready to go for the start of the regular season in Week 1. The two-time Pro Bowler finished his fourth NFL season in 2021 with 43 tackles (34 solo), three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 10 passes defensed and half a sack in 15 starts. While Ward isn't really on the radar in IDP fantasy leagues, he's a very important piece of Cleveland's secondary.
