Cutdown day is coming up in the NFL on Sunday evening, when every team in the league has to have its roster down to the 53-man limit. The Cleveland Browns are getting a jump on that process by announcing a large number of departures on Friday.
The Browns are likely trying to give themselves some flexibility as they will be searching the waiver wire for help at several positions, namely tight end and the defensive line. This also gives these particular players a bit of an edge if they are trying to look for a new team of their own.
According to insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns have announced their first wave of roster cuts, a list that includes 16 players.
“Browns make their first wave of roster moves,” Cabot posted.
#Browns make their first wave of roster moves: pic.twitter.com/tBe3oZbxur
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 28, 2026
The Browns terminated the contracts of CB Tre Avery, CB Tyler Hall, T Tyre Phillips, and TE Jack Stoll (from injured reserve). They waived 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, and TE Jermaine Terry II.
There are some notable names in this group. Stoll was one of the first free agents the Browns signed this offseason, and he was seen as the likely blocking complement to pass catcher Harold Fannin Jr. in the two-tight end formations that head coach Todd Monken prefers. Stoll’s ailment was not identified, but he did suffer a knee injury late last season with the New Orleans Saints. On just a one-year contract and unlikely to play this season, there was no reason for the Browns to hang on to him.
Avery received significant playing time during the preseason, but he may have become expendable when the Browns claimed cornerback Mekhi Blackmon off waivers on Thursday. It also may be a sign that the injury suffered by training camp star Michael Coats Jr. in practice this week is not as severe as originally thought.
The Browns still face some key decisions at quarterback, wide receiver and on the defensive line as they try to construct their final roster.
NEXT: Browns Make 2 Roster Cuts On Friday
