BEREA, Ohio — It's that time of year when NFL rosters must be whittled down to 53 players following a summer of work and evaluation. For the Browns, much of their core was set in stone, with veterans locking down position groups or new faces drafted and signed to revamp areas this offseason.
But Cleveland still had several tough choices to make, and on Sunday, ahead of the 6 p.m. deadline, they decided who to keep and who to cut.
Watch previous coverage: Browns fans react to Deshaun Watson named QB1 for 2026 season
In a surprise move, the Browns are starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel on the injured reserve list with a back injury. He is listed as one of two players designated for return this season, the second being tight end Joe Royer. Royer was absent from training camp, dealing with what was described as a personal situation. The Browns have placed the rookie on the reserve/non-football illness list with the designation to return.
Here is the Browns' initial 53-man roster to start the 2026 season
Quarterbacks (3): Taylen Green, Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson
Running backs (4): Michael Burton, Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders
Wide receivers (6): Isaiah Bond, Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion Jr., Malachi Corley, Jerry Jeudy, Tylan Wallace
Tight ends (3): Harold Fannin Jr., Carsen Ryan, Blake Whiteheart
Offensive linemen (10): Austin Barber, Parker Brailsford, Spencer Fano, Tytus Howard, Elgton Jenkins, Teven Jenkins, Zion Johnson, Dawand Jones, Luke Wypler, Zak Zinter
Defensive linemen (9): Derek Barnett, Maliek Collins, Kalia Davis, Mason Graham, Mike Hall Jr., Adin Huntington, Isaiah McGuire, Julian Okwara, Jared Verse
Linebackers (5): Justin Jefferson, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Winston Reid, Carson Schwesinger, Quincy Williams
Defensive backs (10): Mekhi Blackmon, Tyson Campbell, Michael Coats Jr., Grant Delpit, Myles Harden, Ronnie Hickman, Donovan McMillon, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Daniel Thomas, Denzel Ward
Specialists (3): Corey Bojorquez, Rex Sunahara, Andre Szmyt
Watch previous coverage: Watch previous coverage: Browns rookie QB Taylen Green sits down for 1-on-1 with News 5
How they got there
In order to set the initial 53-man roster, the Browns had a total of 21 moves to make after previously terminating the contracts of four players and waiving 12 others.
Here are the moves made on Friday:
Contract terminated (4)
- CB Tre Avery
- CB Tyler Hall
- T Tyre Phillips
- TE Jack Stoll (from injured reserve)
Waived (12)
- TE Drew Biber
- T Jeremiah Byers
- P Nik Constantinou
- S Christopher Edmonds
- CB Nate Evans
- DT Coziah Izzard
- DT Patrick Jenkins
- CB Jeremiah McClendon
- T Izavion Miller
- DE Jamil Muhammad
- WR Ben Patterson
- TE Jermaine Terry II
With 14 players reduced, the Browns still needed 21 other moves to get down to the initial 53. On Sunday, the remaining moves were made.
Here are the moves made on Sunday:
Placed on reserve/injured (1):
- QB Dillon Gabriel (back)-designated for return
Placed on reserve/non-football illness (1):
- TE Joe Royer-designated for return
Contract terminated (3):
- CB Myles Bryant
- DT Sam Kamara
- CB D’Angelo Ross
Waived (16):
- DT Travis Bell (eye)-injury designation
- RB Davon Booth
- DT Elijah Chatman (quad)-injury designation
- G Kinsley Eguakun
- DE Logan Fano
- WR Luke Floriea
- WR Gage Larvadain
- T KT Leveston
- RB Ahmani Marshall
- P Wes Pahl
- DT Tyreak Sapp
- DE Khordae Sydnor
- LB Edefuan Ulofoshio (biceps)-injury designation
- S Zion Washington
- LB Nathaniel Watson
- WR Kole Wilson
Among the most controversial of the decisions was waiving camp darling wide receiver Luke Floriea. The Mentor native and former Kent State Golden Flash had a standout summer and, across three preseason games, scored three touchdowns (four if one hadn't been overturned on replay in the final game). The local fan favorite made plenty of plays through training camp as well, but ultimately missed the cut for the roster. The Browns hope to sign Floriea back to the practice squad, should he clear waivers, and keep him in orange and brown with the potential for gameday elevations this season.
What's next?
Players who did not make the 53-man roster, including Florida, now await their next chapter. Some will find themselves back in orange and brown, being signed to the practice squad after they clear waivers, should they need to. Others may find themselves claimed via waivers by other teams, or signing as a free agent in a new city if they clear.
As is the case every year, the initial 53-man roster is not the final roster. More moves could take place in the coming days and weeks, especially as other teams around the league release players that the Browns may take interest in.
But with just two weeks until the Browns kick off the regular season on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the core of the team is set, and the 2026 squad has taken shape.
