Tuesday Injury Report: There’s Not Much to Watch as the Browns and Texans Conduct Walkthroughs

he Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans sat out a number of players as each team held walkthroughs on Tuesday. However, there are issues to keep an eye on for both teams ahead of Saturday’s wildcard matchup

Both the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans held walkthroughs on Tuesday in preparation for their wildcard matchup Saturday. Even though the Browns held out many of their players, the ones that did played on Sunday, so they didn’t feel a need to push it. Both teams sat a number of players, but there are still some notes that merit attention.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said it was “unlikely” kicker Dustin Hopkins would be able to go this week. Riley Patterson will most likely handle the kicking duties again this week. Fortunately, he’s been good in domes. Stefanski also said there was a chance that safety Grant Delpit could be back this week as he works to come back from a groin injury. The Browns can likely get by with a combination of Juan Thornhill and Ronnie Hickman, but Delpit would give them additional options. They might be more inclined to utilize three safeties in their personnel, going back to how this defense operated when Rodney McLeod was healthy.

If Delpit can’t go, he would unfortunately have missed all three of the Browns playoff games. He suffered a torn Achilles’ ahead of the 2020 season when the Browns made the postseason.

Many Browns players rested one more day, but wide receiver Cedric Tillman remains in the concussion protocol. The fact this game takes place on Saturday makes it more unlikely Tillman will be able to play. The Browns may need more from David Bell and Marquise Goodwin in lieu of Tillman.

Running back Pierre Strong Jr. was out with a back injury he suffered Sunday. The team hasn’t brought in another running back so that might indicate they think he’ll be good to go. They could activate John Kelly Jr. if absolutely necessary, though Strong also brings value on special teams. It’s worth noting the Browns did have Herb Miller in for a tryout on Tuesday. Miller, a corner by trade, appeared in 13 games with the Browns between the 2021 and 2022 seasons largely to contribute on special teams. It’s unclear if the Miller tryout and Strong’s injury are related.

The Texans had even more reason to rest their players. Most of their players are on track to play, but Jonathan Greenard, who is leading the team in sacks, hasn’t played since he got hurt against the Browns in the first matchup. It’s no surprise he didn’t participate Tuesday, but if he’s still out Wednesday, it may put doubt into his ability to come back for this game.

Wide receiver Noah Brown also missed the game against the Indianapolis Colts as he deals with a back injury. Brown is another player that could give the Texans a boost against the Browns offense in addition to the return of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco has been through this before. He led the Ravens on a playoff run in 2012 that led to a Super Bowl Championship and a Super Bowl MVP Award for himself.

Flacco is off to the best five-game start in Browns history and is 123-of-204 (60.3 pct.) for 1,616 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His rating is 90.2. Flacco has thrown for more touchdowns and more yards in his first five games as the Browns quarterback than any other quarterback in franchise history.

Flacco is 4-1 as the Browns starting quarterback led the Browns on a four-game winning streak in leading the Browns to their first playoff berth since the 2020 season and only their second since 2002. His 90.2 rating would qualify as the 19th-best quarterback rating in the NFL, but he does not have enough pass attempts to be in the rankings.