The highlight of the Cleveland Browns’ upcoming preseason opener will be the return to action of quarterback Deshaun Watson after almost two years on the sidelines. Fans are also excited about the Browns’ debuts for rookies Spencer Fano, KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston.
With a 90-man training camp roster, there are plenty of other players who will be in action against the Chicago Bears. There will also be several players who will be sitting this one out.
The Browns have announced that 16 players will not face the Bears, a list highlighted by linebacker Carson Schwesinger.
“Browns have 16 players not expected to play vs. Bears,” Fred Greetham posted.
#Browns have 16 players not expected to play vs Bears https://t.co/v1aEXKZ8wN
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) August 15, 2026
The other players who will not participate are CB Tyson Campbell, TE Joe Royer, WR Cedric Tillman, CB D’Angelo Ross, CB Myles Bryant, FB Michael Burton, DT Mike Hall Jr., C Parker Brailsford, T Izavion Miller, DT Elijah Chatman, G Zak Zinter, TE Jack Stoll, DT Sam Kamara, DT Kalia Davis and DT Maliek Collins.
Some of these absences are significant as they pertain to the potential final 53-man roster. Tillman is seen as competing for the final wide receiver opening, while Ross has a chance to be a necessary depth piece in the secondary.
In addition, the Browns’ depth at defensive tackle is being severely tested with Hall, Kamara, Davis and Collins having missed multiple training camp practices. Collins is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list while working his way back from a quad injury he suffered last season, while Hall was making a good impression until being sidelined.
With the Browns’ offensive line backups still in flux, Zinter may be missing out on an opportunity to make an impact. Brailsford, a fifth-round pick from the 2026 NFL Draft, was seen as a potential starting center, depending on the alignment Cleveland chose to use.
Schwesinger’s undisclosed injury has been deemed minor by head coach Todd Monken. So the Browns are likely just being overly cautious with last season’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Even with these players out, there are still many more to watch as the Browns take the field for the first time in 2026.
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