Cleveland Browns: 3 biggest depth chart challenges vs Colts

3. Can’t worry about Higgins

Cleveland.com posted a story asking whether this is the week the Browns unlock Rashard Higgins.

I’m not sure it is, nor do I think it’d make much of a difference if Higgins, who’s been a healthy scratch the past two weeks, does suit up.

Yes, JoJo Natson and KhaDarel Hodge have gone to the IR with injuries, but it’s more likely the Browns continue to give reps to Donovan Peoples-Jones. DPJ got the most playing time he’s ever seen against the Cowboys, and while he was relatively quiet, he gained on-field experience none-the-less.

The tight-end heavy offense probably doesn’t bode well for Higgins, either. Austin Hooper scored his first touchdown last week, while Harrison Bryant looks better every game. Factor in David Njoku returning, and I’m not sure where Higgins fits into all of it, and that’s OK.

Higgins is a fine player, but remember, he was a free agent over the winter. Yes, free agency was affected by COVID, but Higgins ended up returning to the Browns for pennies (by NFL standards).

With DPJ being the future, I’d look for more playing time for the fifth-round pick out of Michigan.