The Cleveland Browns have lost two straight road games against the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams, extending their season-long losing streak. 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 players, who are not even on the list are injured but not placed out for at least four weeks:
Amari Cooper
Denzel Ward
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Marquise Goodwin
Modes:
2
On that list alone, with Cooper being added due to a concussion, we see Cleveland’s top wide receiver, cornerback and deep threat along with the current starting quarterback.
The Browns injured reserve list, according to the team’s website, adds even more top talent 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)
Cleveland’s best wide receiver, cornerback, and deep threat are all on that list alone, with Cooper added as a result of a concussion, in addition to the starting quarterback.
The Browns’ website reports that even more elite players and depth pieces have been added to the injured reserve list:
Deshaun Watson
Nick Chubb
Conklin, Jack
Willie Jedrick
Grant Jakeem
Rodney McLeod
Mitchell Cameron
Phillips, Jacob
Dawson Deaton
(*Daylen Baldwin is mentioned on the website, but he has returned for a workout after reaching an injury settlement with Cleveland)
On that list, there are just two players who are likely to be able to return sometime this season: Wills (knee) and Mitchell (shoulder).
Putting the two lists together, the following roles were not available for the Browns after halftime of Week 13
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.
It is hard to win in the NFL, period. It is even harder to win dealing with that kind of purge of talent due to injuries.
