BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns open the 2024 NFL regular season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 8 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
A team that entered training camp with major injury questions hasn't gotten much resolution with the season opener nearing. Running back Nick Chubb and starting offensive tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin remain on the physically unable to perform list. Quarterback Deshaun Watson, though, has been fully cleared after undergoing season-ending surgery to his throwing shoulder last November and has been a full participant throughout the summer.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACKS (3): Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley have been competing for the third quarterback spot in training camp. Both players had moments, but the nod goes to Thompson-Robinson, the 2023 fifth-round pick who has shown more comfort and confidence in his second season.
RUNNING BACKS (3): Jerome Ford, D'Onta Foreman, Pierre Strong Jr.
Nick Chubb and Nyheim Hines entered training camp on the PUP list and non-football injury list, respectively, and both players remain sidelined because of knee injuries. Chubb, who sustained his injury last September and underwent a pair of surgeries, is not expected to be ready for Week 1, but the Browns anticipate he will return at some point in the 2024 season. Ford will be the lead back until Chubb returns.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, David Bell, Jamari Thrash
The Browns have high hopes for the trio of Cooper, Jeudy and Moore in their revamped offense. Tillman, a second-year player who performed well in the offseason workout program and training camp, should also get increased playing time in a scheme that will use more spread looks.
TIGHT ENDS (3): David Njoku, Jordan Akins, Zaire Mitchell-Paden
A position room that doesn't have much depth took another hit when Giovanni Ricci sustained a knee injury that coach Kevin Stefanski said will sideline him for a few weeks. Njoku, a 2023 Pro Bowl selection, will do the heavy lifting.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (10): Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Dawand Jones, Zak Zinter, Michael Dunn, James Hudson III, Germain Ifedi, Nick Harris
There is still some uncertainty surrounding the offensive line, as Wills and Jack Conklin remain on the PUP list. Wills, who underwent arthroscopic surgery for an MCL injury last December, appears to be ahead of Conklin. The Browns need Wills to return to stabilize the left tackle position after his fill-ins were uneven throughout training camp.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (10): Myles Garrett, Za'Darius Smith, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire, Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurst II, Quinton Jefferson, Mike Hall Jr.
Tomlinson has missed all of training camp after undergoing a knee scope, but the Browns are hopeful that he will be ready for Week 1. He'll return to a starting spot in a deep defensive line when he returns.
LINEBACKERS (5): Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jordan Hicks, Devin Bush, Mohamoud Diabate, Tony Fields II
The Browns like the physicality of seventh-round pick Nathaniel Watson. But Bush, Diabate and Fields get the edge with more experience and special teams chops.
CORNERBACKS (6): Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., Greg Newsome II, Cameron Mitchell, Tony Brown II, Myles Harden
Newsome has been sidelined for all of camp on the NFI list after sustaining a hamstring injury while training. Like with Tomlinson, the Browns are optimistic Newsome can return for Week 1.
SAFETIES (4): Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill, Rodney McLeod Jr., Ronnie Hickman
D'Anthony Bell, who started four games last year because of injuries, missed all of camp on the PUP list and could remain there to start the season. However, there's still quality depth between McLeod, who is entering his 13th and final season, and Hickman, who started four games as an undrafted rookie in 2023.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3): Dustin Hopkins, Corey Bojorquez, Charley Hughlett
Hopkins hasn't kicked in the preseason as he deals with what Stefanski called a minor injury, but he's expected to be fine for Week 1.