BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens are contending with depleted rosters heading into their Week 6 divisional clash, with almost 40 players appearing across both teams’ injury reports, the Orange and Brown Report reported Friday.
Cleveland carried 17 players on its report, while Baltimore had 21 names listed. Seven Browns players were held out of practice on Thursday, improving from nine absences on Wednesday. The absences have hit the interior of Cleveland’s defensive front particularly hard just as the team prepares to face Baltimore’s powerhouse ground attack.
Defensive tackles sidelined ahead of Henry matchup
Defensive tackle Mason Graham missed action after injuring his knee and ankle against Pittsburgh, sitting out against the New York Jets and remaining sidelined throughout this week’s practices. Fellow defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. has also been kept off the field since suffering an ankle injury in Pittsburgh, while Kalia Davis has managed only one session over the past two weeks due to a quad issue, according to the Orange and Brown Report.
Veterans Maliek Collins, who was limited Thursday after getting his foot stepped on against the Jets, is anticipated to play. That leaves Cleveland leaning on reserve depth, including Sam Kamara, who earned his first career sack in his season debut last week after six years split between practice squads and active rosters.
The thin interior faces a major challenge in Baltimore running back Derrick Henry. Henry ranks third in the NFL with 476 rushing yards and 262 yards after contact, powering a Ravens offense that averages 164.4 rushing yards per contest. Cleveland’s defense has surrendered an average of 117.4 rushing yards per game this season.
“He’s the size of a D-end. He’s a very strong back and he has the speed of a running back… He’s probably going to break a tackle or two, so we have to keep pursuing the ball,” defensive end Jared Verse said, as reported by the Orange and Brown Report.
Quarterback and backfield uncertainty
Baltimore faces its own major questions at key positions. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson missed practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday while nursing an ankle injury. If Jackson cannot play, Tyler Huntley would be in line to start under center.
Baltimore receiver Zay Flowers, who leads the league with 318 yards out of the slot, was listed as limited on Thursday because of a toe ailment. Starting wideout Rashod Bateman missed Thursday’s practice with shoulder and knee issues.
Cleveland’s offense enters the game short-handed in the backfield. Running back Quinshon Judkins was placed in a walking boot after spraining the same ankle that required surgery last season for a dislocation and fractured fibula. With Raheim Sanders on injured reserve with a hip problem, Cleveland is monitoring Dylan Sampson, who returned to practice Thursday for the first time since suffering a knee injury in the season opener. Jaleel McLaughlin and recent addition Audric Estime remain the healthiest options.
By contrast, Cleveland’s quarterback room remains fully healthy, with Deshaun Watson active and Dillon Gabriel practicing without setbacks following a back injury.
With Cleveland entering the matchup at 3-2, Sunday’s contest carries significant division implications, as a victory could push the Browns into first place in the AFC North. Final game statuses for Jackson, Judkins and Cleveland’s defensive linemen will be determined prior to kickoff.
