The Browns may have to lean on their depth in a hurry when they open at home Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell and safety Grant Delpit both landed on the questionable list, and each carries a different kind of concern into Week 3. Campbell is dealing with hip and ankle injuries, while Delpit’s shoulder has kept him from practicing in full all week. Head coach Todd Monken said Friday, “They went through practice today and we'll see where they're at,” adding, “They [did] a little work here post practice, but we're hopeful they'll be able to go.”
Delpit sounded more optimistic when Zac Jackson of The Athletic reported that he said, “I’m gonna play. I feel good enough.”
Even so, he wasn’t in uniform Friday, and his availability against Carolina remains murky. Campbell, meanwhile, looks like the bigger wild-card after leaving Cleveland’s Week 2 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the end.
He was limited to individual work Friday and was beaten on a couple of big plays by Baker Mayfield and company in the 43 defensive snaps he managed.
That puts a few reserves in the spotlight for a Browns defense that could be busy. Carolina enters the game averaging the second-most offensive points per game, so Cleveland may need answers from the back end fast.
Mekhi Blackmon is one of them. The Browns claimed him on waivers after roster cutdown day, and the former third-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2023 has already flashed in limited work.
He has played just two defensive snaps through two games, but he stepped in after Campbell went out against Tampa Bay and held up well. According to Pro Football Focus, Blackmon has allowed one catch on three targets for 6 yards and has one pass breakup.
If Campbell can’t go, Blackmon could see a much bigger workload than anyone expected this early. That would also put him in the path of Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, both of whom have been extremely productive through two games. Bryce Young is likely to test him right away.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is another name to watch. The rookie second-round pick from Toledo has played 24 defensive snaps so far, but his defensive role should stay limited as long as Delpit and Ronnie Hickman are healthy.
If Delpit’s shoulder keeps him from playing a full load, though, McNeil-Warren could get his first real chance to show what he can do. He’s already been active on special teams, making three tackles for Byron Storer’s group against Tampa Bay.
Then there’s D’Angelo Ross, whose return to the practice squad this week looks tied to both Campbell’s status and Noah Igbinoghene’s rough outing. Igbinoghene got his first game action with the Browns on Sunday and it didn’t go well. He played eight defensive snaps, all in the slot, and Mayfield immediately targeted him, completing two passes for 37 yards when Igbinoghene was in coverage.
Ross was elevated from the practice squad for the opener against Jacksonville, and the Browns could easily do that again for Sunday as extra outside depth behind Blackmon. If he’s called up, he could also help on special teams.
In Other News...
Brian Brennans Browns Return Will Hit Longtime Fans Right Away
Brian Brennans return to Cleveland has a certain kind of pull for longtime Browns fans, the sort that reaches back to an era when the teams identity was built around familiar names and hard-earned loyalty. This week, the Browns are adding Brennan, Alex Mack and Lou Rymkus to the Browns Legends club during Week 3, a nod to three players whose careers each meant something different to the franchise and to the people who followed it closely.
The timing only sharpens the nostalgia, with Nick Chubb also back in the fold after signing a one-day contract and set to be honored at the upcoming game. Brennan spoke about his reaction to the induction and reflected on his career, and for fans who remember him best in orange and brown, the recognition lands as more than ceremonial. It is the kind of Browns moment that connects generations, even if the full emotional weight of it is still unfolding. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Run Game Problem May Go Beyond The Offensive Line
Through two games, Clevelands rushing attack has been one of the early concerns around an offense that has not found much rhythm. Quinshon Judkins, in his second season, has been asked to do plenty of the heavy lifting, but the ground game has not gotten the traction the Browns need as they try to settle into the year.
The issue may not stop with the offensive lines run blocking. With Deshaun Watson working mostly in a condensed passing game and rarely pushing the ball beyond 10 yards, defenses have had little reason to respect the deeper threat, and that can make life harder for any run game trying to get established. For Cleveland, the challenge now looks a little bigger than just winning at the point of attack. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Defense May Have Found The Fix Week 3 Must Prove
Mike Rutenbergs first two weeks as Clevelands new defensive coordinator have already brought a notable shift in approach, and the early returns were better after he leaned into more man coverage in Week 2. After a Week 1 plan built mostly around zone, the Browns changed course and the defense responded with a cleaner performance, including fewer passing yards allowed.
Carolina now offers the next test of whether that adjustment was a one-week answer or something sturdier. The Browns will get another look at whether the man-heavy approach can hold up against a Panthers offense that should force them to prove the change was more than just a short-term fix. [Read more 🡒]