Browns Announce 3 Roster Moves On Saturday

The final day before a game is usually when NFL teams make their last roster adjustments. Injuries from the week get sorted out, practice squad players get elevated and the 53-man roster takes its final shape for Sunday. For the Browns, those moves this week were centered on one area of the offense. Cleveland reshuffled its blocking options at fullback and tight end ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Houston Texans.

The Browns announced 3 moves Saturday afternoon.

“We’ve signed TE Carsen Ryan to the active roster, placed FB Michael Burton on injured reserve and elevated TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden”

We've signed TE Carsen Ryan to the active roster, placed FB Michael Burton on injured reserve and elevated TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden

📰 » https://t.co/OUYIZ0c6pC pic.twitter.com/3YWMi7ywwr

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 14, 2026

Burton’s move is the one that set everything in motion. The veteran fullback missed practice Wednesday with a calf injury, and landing on injured reserve means he will miss at least the next 4 games. Burton played 11 offensive snaps in New Orleans, mostly as a lead blocker in heavier formations, and added 5 more on special teams.

Losing him leaves the Browns without a true fullback, so they turned to tight ends to fill that role. That brings back a familiar name.

Carsen Ryan’s season has been a roller coaster. The Browns drafted him out of BYU with the 248th overall pick in April, and since then he has been promoted, waived and brought back more than once. Cleveland signed him to the active roster on November 4, then waived him the next day to clear a spot. He returned and played 24 special teams snaps against the Saints. Now he is back on the 53-man roster, and the open spot from Burton’s move gives him a better chance to stick this time.

Mitchell-Paden’s elevation from the practice squad adds one more tight end for Sunday. With Burton out, the Browns may lean on 2 and 3 tight end sets to help the run game and protect Deshaun Watson in his return from the concussion protocol.

Those formations have been rare this season. The Browns rank near the bottom of the league in using 12 personnel. The Browns did not make a trade, so they are trying to solve that problem from within.

The run game needs the help. Quinshon Judkins is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, and Cleveland ran for only 34 yards in Pittsburgh 2 weeks ago. Extra blockers could make a difference against a Texans defense that allows 103.0 rushing yards per game.