The Browns will be without their No. 2 wide receiver for a while. Cedric Tillman Jr. sustained a hamstring injury in the team’s loss to the Lions, and the team announced it will lead to an IR stay.
Kevin Stefanski had confirmed (via the Akron Beacon Journal’s Chris Easterling) Tillman would be out “in the weeks department”; the IR trip will sideline the third-year receiver for at least four games. The Browns signed wideouts Malachi Corley and Gage Larvadain to their 53-man roster from the practice squad. Cleveland also waived cornerback Cameron Mitchell, a 2023 fifth-round pick who started four games from 2023-24.
Although the Browns signed Diontae Johnson, he never appeared to threaten Tillman’s spot. Cleveland released the nomadic veteran on roster-cutdown day and turned to the player whose role had increased following last year’s Amari Cooper trade. The Cooper Bills swap opened the door for more Tillman work alongside Jerry Jeudy, and the former third-round pick did enough to keep that top sidekick gig entering this season. Tillman reached 75 receiving yards in his first three starts, teaming with Jameis Winston last year, but could not build on that momentum.
Tillman started six games last season but did not finish the campaign on Cleveland’s active roster, missing six games to close the season. Tillman, who did not enjoy a big role as a rookie, missed three games during that season. This represents another setback in the Tennessee product’s development. He has 11 catches for 106 yards this season.
Cleveland entered the season light on receiver experience, carrying Tillman as Jeudy’s top wingman. Only two other receivers — Jamari Thrash and rookie UDFA Isaiah Bond — are on the Browns’ 53-man roster. Bond, a draft prospect who fell off the board due to off-field trouble, figures to see a bigger role. The Texas alum caught three passes for 58 yards against the Lions. Bond was not indicted after an arrest on sexual assault charges, leading to his Browns signing soon after. Beginning his career at Alabama, Bond did not eclipse 700 receiving yards in a college season but garnered draft interest from several teams.
The Browns also placed wideout DeAndre Carter on IR, thinning their receiver position further. Journeying the league as a return specialist, Carter joined the Browns this offseason. A knee injury will lead Carter off Cleveland’s 53-man roster. This will force the Browns into multiple changes, with Carter serving as their primary kick and punt returner.
The Jets drafted Corley atop Round 3 last year, with the Western Kentucky alum famously drawing a Draft Day-like “no matter what” reference from then-decision-makers Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh. After slogging through a rough rookie year, Corley did not impress the Jets’ new decision-making team and was waived last month. The Browns added him to their practice squad soon after. Corley, who caught just three passes for 16 yards last season, has not played in a Browns game yet.