Injuries are already impacting the Cleveland Browns before 2024 begins

For the Cleveland Browns in 2023, injuries remained a recurring theme. A number of its important players, including running back Nick Chubb, quarterback Deshaun Watson, offensive tackle Jack Conklin, and safety Grant Delpit, were placed on injured reserve one after another.

They hope to avoid additional misfortune as we approach 2024, but they have already had to bid a player who was injured farewell. Dawson Deaton, the backup center, was just cut with an injury classification.

Deaton, who unfortunately has a history of injuries, failed a physical while the team was gathering in Berea for rookie minicamp. Furthermore, Deaton has already been waived by the Browns. He was placed on the waiver wire in 2023 due to an injury designation as well, but he was not claimed and returned to the injured reserve.

Over the past two seasons, Deaton, a Texas Tech collegiate player, has never seen live action as a member of the Browns in the preseason or regular season.

Browns added depth to their interior line this offseason

 

With Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller playing guard and Ethan Pocic at center, Cleveland boasts one of the best interior offensive lines in the NFL. With undrafted rookie Javion Cohen, veteran guard Michael Dunn, and rookie third-round pick Zak Zinter, they now have formidable depth behind them.

They have Luke Wypler, a second-year player from Ohio State, and Brian Allen, who has made 32 career starts, at center. Jalen Sundell of North Dakota State, who reportedly accepted a contract as an undrafted free agent, was also expected to be in Cleveland. But all of a sudden, his name is not included in their rookie minicamp roster.

The Browns made sure they had enough depth on their roster to handle injuries even if Sundell isn’t added, but ideally they won’t need them as often as they did in 2023.