The Browns released their initial 53-man roster Tuesday afternoon as they prepare to face off against the Cowboys Sept. 8 to open the 2024 NFL season. As players clear waivers, the Browns are likely to make more moves this week, adding players to either their 53-man roster or practice squad.
On Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski noted the difficulty of roster cutdowns, as the team has to part with players who have worked hard all offseason. Tuesday, after the Browns roster was announced, Stefanski emphasized that "it's the first 53, not the final 53."
Here are three quick takeaways from the initial 53-man roster.
Tackles Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills Jr. avoid starting the season on the PUP list
One major question going into the week was whether starting tackles Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills Jr. – who both suffered season-ending injuries last year – would land on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to start the season. If that had been the case, they would have missed the first four games of the season.
Both, however, were taken off the PUP list on Monday after passing their physicals, meaning the duo has a chance to be available for Week 1. Conklin returned to practice Tuesday, but Wills did not.
Throughout training camp, Stefanski spoke of the long hours of rehab injured Browns, including Conklin and Wills, put in as they worked to get back on the field.
"I get to see them work every day, and I mean, it's every day for those guys," Stefanski said Tuesday. "And it can be a grind physically. It can be a grind mentally. So, for anybody that then gets back out on the field, it's a very big deal. So good to see Jack out there. Good to see him working and really good to see all the work that he's put in get him to this point."
Stefanski said that Wills had been cleared to practice and is participating in walkthroughs but will not yet fully participate in practice as he progresses through his rehab.
DT Mike Hall Jr. named to the Commissioner's Exempt List
Browns rookie DT Mike Hall Jr. was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List, meaning he will miss the start of the season.
Players on the Commissioner's Exempt List may not practice or attend games but may be present at the club's facility for meetings, individual workouts, physical therapy and other non-football activities if approved by the club. The player does not count against a teams' roster limit.
If the player is handed a subsequent suspension, any games missed while on the Commissioner's Exempt List would count towards the suspension.
Hall was arrested and charged with domestic violence on Aug. 13 and had since returned to the team, participating in both the Vikings and Seahawks preseason games.
Stefanski did not have a comment about the decision.
No changes in the QB room
The Browns featured four quarterbacks during the offseason and training camp, all of whom impressed Stefanski. Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley were all kept on the 53-man roster.
"We have four good quarterbacks," Stefanski said of the decision, adding that "we'll see" if the Browns still have four quarterbacks on the roster by the start of the regular season.
Thompson-Robinson had several opportunities to shine in the preseason, throwing for 375 yards and a touchdown between his three appearances.
"He really has attacked this training camp and done a nice job of making every rep count, making every meeting count, and certainly had some plays out there (against the Packers)," Stefanski said.
Huntley, who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Ravens, threw three touchdown passes in Saturday's game against the Seahawks.
"[Huntley] has played a lot of good football for us, a lot of good football in his career," Stefanski said after the game. "He's a playmaker. You saw it. It was on display tonight. When things aren't there, he finds a way to make a play."
