Chase

Winovich

In an Instagram post, Winovich said, “The time has come for me to serve the universe in other ways”, announcing his retirement. Coming out of the University of Michigan, Winovich started his career with the Patriots. He amassed 11 sacks in three seasons with them before playing for the Browns and Dolphins. The Dolphins released him just last week. Winovich ends his career having played five seasons, and totaling 12 sacks.

Winovich was drafted by now-Texans GM Nick Caserio in 2019. He was a third-round pick by New England. The Pats eventually traded him to Cleveland, where he spent the 2022 season. Winovich was a part-time player during his eight games with the Browns. He earned just one sack and a long TFL. Winovich projects to be a backup role-player for Houston.

Winovich, who the Browns traded for in March, will return for the first time since going down in Week 2. The Browns placed OL Michael Dunn (back) on IR to open a spot for Winovich and promoted DB Mike Brown and LB Jermaine Carter from the practice squad.

Winovich had two quarterback hits last week, but now finds himself on IR with a hamstring issue for the second straight season. He’ll miss at least four weeks. Cleveland’s EDGE depth will be tested with Winovich out and Jadeveon Clowney (ankle) likely to miss time as well.

Wilson, who the Patriots have eyed since last year, will be part of a retooled New England linebackers group. Winovich, meanwhile, will join a stellar Cleveland pass rush graded by Pro Football Focus as the league’s seventh best in 2021. Before a down 2021 in which he played a rotational role for the Pats, Winovich recoded 11 sacks in his first two pro seasons.

Winovich suffered a hamstring injury during the Patriots’ Week 6 loss to the Cowboys. He will miss at least the next three games while recovering from that ailment. In a corresponding move, New England signed DB Myles Bryant to the active roster. Bryant appeared in Week 4 and Week 5 for the Patriots and is now an active member of the 53-player roster.

He added that linebacker Chase Winovich will also be ready for the start of camp. Smith has had over a month to recover from the hamstring injury that seemed minor when it occurred. He should have no problems at the start of training camp unless he suffers an unforeseen setback. Smith will be competing with Hunter Henry for snaps and targets on an offense that already projects to tilt toward the run. This should keep both tight ends as no more than high-end TE2 options for fantasy purposes.

Winovich is tentatively expected to be just fine to return whenever football activities resume. The former third-round pick impressed as a rookie, racking up 5.5 sacks and 10 QB hits for the Patriots’ beastly defense. A larger role is likely on the horizon in 2020 for Winovich, assuming he’s functioning at 100% by the time September comes around.

Winovich started 26 games at Michigan, logging 45 career TFLs with 18 sacks and three forced fumbles and earning first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American as a senior. He tested as an above-average athlete at the Combine with a 4.59 forty and 6.94 three cone. Winovich should make an impact year one.

Winovich (6’3/256) made 26 starts on the Wolverines’ defensive front, logging 45 career TFLs with 18 sacks and three forced fumbles and earning first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American as a senior. Winovich helped himself at the Combine with very-nice 69th-percentile SPARQ results, including impressive forty (4.59) and three-cone (6.94) times. Highly physical with a non-stop motor, Winovich outplayed teammate Rashan Gary throughout their time together and profiles as a Connor Barwin- or Rob Ninkovich-level edge defender with 7-10 sack upside and a well-rounded run-stopping game.