The Cleveland Browns have done a solid job building their roster under general manager Andrew Berry. Not every move he’s made turned out the way he hoped but this roster finally has some solid depth.
That’s why we see players who were selected on day two and early day three of the draft inactive for many of the games this season. In years past, those guys were out there from the start.
Now looking ahead to Week 9, the 4-3 Browns are hosting the 1-7 Arizona Cardinals, who just traded away Josh Dobbs, we can predict which players won’t be active on the field this weekend.
Active: Cedric Tillman, WR
Before diving into the inactive players, we should discuss Cedric Tillman. The Browns first selection in 2023 (No. 74 overall) hasn’t been active since Week 4 against Baltimore.
He has been a healthy scratch at times but also had a hip injury at one point that kept him out. This weekend, he should be on the field — if healthy.
Cleveland elected to trade Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Detroit Lions at the deadline. DPJ has just 97 yards on eight receptions this year but has been on the field for a surprising 83 percent of the offensive snaps. That means there’s going to be a lot more opportunities for guys like Tillman, who should be able to take advantage.
1. Deshaun Watson, QB
Deshaun Watson returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday but it’s hard to assume he’s going to play against Arizona in Week 9. Before making that prediction, we need to see him throwing the ball with the same velocity and confidence he had in Week 3 before the injury.
That being said, the Browns should absolutely get him on the field against the Cardinals if he’s capable. There’s a school of thought that he should be saved for Week 10 to take on the Baltimore Ravens but the Cards — who might be starting Clayton Tune — would be a much better option for Watson to get back into a rhythm against.
Of course, it all goes back to how the ball comes out of his arm and right now, it feels like we’re still going to be waiting.
2. Siaki Ika, NT
The 98th overall pick in the draft was used on Baylor nose tackle Siaki Ika. He’s a massive 6-foot-3 and 335 pounds and known for stuffing the run. Cleveland would have likely thrown him to the wolves in 2022 but with Dalvin Tomlinson, Maurice Hurst, Shelby Harris, and even an improved Jordan Elliott ahead of him, Ika has yet to see the field.
Unless an injury takes place during practice, he’s likely to be a spectator again when the Browns take on Arizona.
3. Isaiah McGuire, EDGE
Another rookie, Isaiah McGuire was added in Round 4 out of Missouri and has yet to make his debut in the NFL. Za'Darius Smith did come up injured late in the Seattle game and if he does wind up sitting out, McGuire could get called up. Until then, he's likely sitting this one out as well.
4. Ronnie Hickman, S
After years of ignoring Ohio State players, the Browns added four rookies from the program in 2023. Dawand Jones and Luke Wypler were taken in the draft and they also signed Ronnie Hickman and Tanner McCalister. The first three are still on the 53-man roster while McCalister is a member of the practice squad.
Hickman appeared in just one game this season and logged 10 snaps — which was in Week 1. Since then, he's been a healthy scratch and that will remain the case until someone else misses time.
5. Kahlef Hailassie, CB
When rounding out their practice squad, Cleveland also went out and added another depth piece for their secondary when they claimed Kahlef Hailassie from the Kansas City Chiefs. He too has only appeared in one game, with his lone game being in Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans. As usual, he will sit this one out.
6. David Bell, WR
One of the other reasons we should expect to see more Cedric Tillman this week is the fact that David Bell suffered a knee injury that had him out of practice on Wednesday. Unless Bell starts practicing soon, he could wind up being sidelined in Week 9.
It might not be too terrible at this point either to have him sit. Getting Tillman snaps would be ideal and they can elevate Jaelon Darden from the practice squad to get a solid punt returner on the field.
7. Greg Newsome II, CB
During the loss to Seattle, Greg Newsome II had to leave the game with a groin injury. He's had durability concerns dating back to his days at Northwestern and has yet to return to practice. This feels like a game he will miss, which opens the door for his former teammate, Cameron Mitchell, to shine.
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