Browns injured reserve: Entire list of potential returnees for this year

NFL playoff hopes despite all these injuries is still something to be encouraged by

After losing their first two road games of the season to the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams, the Cleveland Browns are now on a losing skid.It was interesting to see who won and lost in Week 13.

Although disappointing, the Browns’ NFL playoff seed was unaffected by their loss to the Rams.

For the majority of Cleveland supporters, the 2023 NFL season has a clear ceiling: just qualifying for the playoffs. Browns supporters are astute enough to see, based on the team’s present roster, that they would struggle to defeat the best teams in the league.

Too many of the team’s best players are on the injured reserve list for the Browns to be able to compete at the highest levels. These athletes who are hurt but haven’t been sidelined for at least four weeks aren’t even on the list:

• Amari Cooper
• Denzel Ward
• Dorian Thompson-Robinson
• Marquise Goodwin

Cleveland’s best wide receiver, cornerback, and deep threat are all on that list alone, with Cooper added after suffering a concussion, in addition to the starting quarterback.

On the team’s website, the Browns injured reserve list features even more elite players and depth pieces:

• Deshaun Watson
• Nick Chubb
• Jack Conklin
• Jedrick Wills
• Jakeem Grant
• Rodney McLeod
• Cameron Mitchell
• Jacob Phillips
• Dawson Deaton

(*Daylen Baldwin is listed on the site but he reached an injury settlement with Cleveland and has since been back for a workout)

On that list, there are just two players who are likely to be able to return sometime this season: Wills (knee) and Mitchell (shoulder).

Combining the two lists, the Browns were unable to fill the following positions after Week 13’s halftime:

• Starting QB
• Backup QB
• Starting RB
• Top WR
• Top deep threat WR
• Starting LT
• Starting RT
• Kick Returner/Gadget WR
• Top CB
• Third safety/nickel DB
• Backup/Slot CB
• Backup LB
• Practice squad OL

Cleveland is hopeful that DTR, Cooper, Goodwin, Wills, Ward and Mitchell will be able to return at some point this season but, after dropping two straight and with the Jacksonville Jaguars coming to town this week, the sooner the better.

In the NFL, winning is difficult overall. Dealing with that sort of talent purge owing to injury makes winning even more difficult.