The Browns shuffled their roster on Saturday ahead of their Week 10 matchup with the Texans, making room for two tight ends while sending a fullback to injured reserve.
Cleveland signed Carsen Ryan to the active roster and brought up Zaire Mitchell-Paden from the practice squad. At the same time, the team placed fullback Michael Burton on IR with a calf injury, which will sideline him for the next four games.
Ryan, a 6-foot-3, 255-pound tight end, was Cleveland’s seventh-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft. His path has already been busy: the Browns released him on October 26, brought him back to the practice squad two days later, waived him on November 7, and then re-signed him to the practice squad two days after that.
He has played in eight games so far, mostly on special teams, where he has logged 109 snaps. On offense, he has taken just two snaps.
Mitchell-Paden, listed at 6-foot-5 and 257 pounds, only joined Cleveland’s practice squad on Wednesday, but he’s no stranger to the organization. He originally signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons on the practice squad. This year, he split time between the Ravens and Saints, appearing in six games for Baltimore with one catch for three yards, then two games for New Orleans with one reception for 14 yards.
Burton, meanwhile, is in his first season with Cleveland after signing in free agency. He has appeared in nine games, started two, and has been used as a blocker while also contributing on special teams.
Houston also made adjustments to its game-day group. Running back David Montgomery, who was questionable with a groin injury, and cornerback Jaylin Smith, who was questionable with a hamstring injury, are not traveling to Cleveland and have been ruled out. Offensive tackle Braden Smith is now questionable because of an illness.
To round out the roster, the Texans activated linebacker Jake Hummel and elevated linebacker Chad Muma and running back Dare Ogunbowale from the practice squad.
In Other News...
Browns Week 10 Suddenly Has A Travel Problem Fans Need To Watch
Fridays FAA ground stop on all outgoing flights created a travel headache that could ripple into the NFL weekend, with widespread cancellations and delays threatening to throw off team plans. For the Browns and anyone else watching Week 10 unfold, the issue is less about the scoreboard than the logistics, since visiting clubs and league personnel may have to adjust quickly just to get where they need to be.
The Houston Texans are among the teams that could feel the effects most directly, and game officials could face similar problems reaching their destinations on time. Even when the football itself stays on schedule, disruptions like this can complicate preparation, alter routines and add an extra layer of uncertainty to a weekend that already has enough to manage. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Rookie May Be Changing A Problem Spot Faster Than Expected
The Browns have spent plenty of time searching for stability up front, and the early returns on their rookie tackles have given the staff a reason to believe the problem spot may not stay a problem for long. Veteran Tytus Howard has had his struggles, but Austin Barber and Spencer Fano have both shown encouraging development as Cleveland keeps sorting through the best answers on the offensive line.
Head coach Todd Monken pointed to Fanos mental toughness and his ability to adapt while learning left tackle in the NFL, two traits that matter as much as raw talent in a room that has needed both. Fano has already climbed to 17th out of 71 offensive tackles in overall Pro Football Focus grade, and with the Browns preparing for the Houston Texans, the expectation is that he keeps trending upward as the workload and the spotlight get bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Just Gave Browns Fans A Reason To Feel Better
The Browns might have passed on deadline drama, but the bigger picture in the AFC North got a little clearer anyway. Cleveland stayed focused on the long view, keeping its draft capital and leaning into a developmental plan aimed at the 2027 offseason, a stance that fits the front offices patience as it tries to build something sustainable rather than chase a quick fix.
Across the division, Pittsburgh also stood pat, but the vibe there is far less settled. With an aging defense and the departure of key players, the Steelers look like a team heading into a longer reset, which gives Browns fans at least one reason to feel better about where the two rivals are headed. Cleveland may not be making splashy moves yet, but its path looks a lot more deliberate than the one unfolding in Pittsburgh. [Read more 🡒]