The Browns are getting close to their preseason opener against the Bears, and one of the biggest personnel questions still hanging over camp is whether defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. can make it back in time to get some live reps.
Hall has been sidelined since August 3, and his summer has been slowed by injuries. Even so, Cleveland’s coaching staff is holding out hope that he’ll be back on the practice field soon enough to factor into the next couple of weeks.
Head coach Todd Monken addressed Hall’s status on Tuesday and sounded optimistic about the progress. “He got off to such a great start”, Monken said, adding that the Browns are hopeful to get him back at practice soon.
There’s no real need to force the issue. Hall’s recent injury stretch makes caution the smarter play, especially with the preseason just beginning and the Browns trying to sort through the bigger picture for their 53-man roster.
That becomes even more important with Maliek Collins still on the PUP list. No timetable has been set for Collins’ return, and the expectation is that it could be closer to the regular season, if not a few weeks into it. If that plays out, Hall would likely be in line to start alongside Mason Graham for at least the first few weeks.
Hall’s track record in Cleveland gives the Browns a reason to be patient. Over two seasons, he has developed into a contender for a starting job on a defense that has outperformed expectations and emerged as one of the league’s better units.
He still hasn’t put together a full season, but when he’s been on the field, he’s been useful. In two years with the Browns, Hall has posted 25 total tackles, 12 solo tackles, and 2.5 sacks as a rotational piece.
Collins’ presence gives Cleveland some breathing room, too. Having a veteran defensive tackle in the room means the Browns do not have to lean too heavily on Hall while he works back, and it also gives him a chance to keep learning as his role grows.
That role should expand this season regardless of when Collins returns. Hall is also working in a new defensive scheme under Mike Rutenberg, which should give him another path to more snaps.
With Graham locked in as the starter, Hall should have a strong chance to line up next to the Browns’ first-round pick from last year. Both players could benefit from the pressure created on the edges by Jared Verse, and if Alex Wright takes another step forward, Cleveland’s front could keep producing pressure at a level similar to recent seasons.
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