Grant

Delpit

Delpit missed Week 6 with the concussion after missing all three practices. A return on Wednesday gives him a good shot at suiting up on Sunday. The Browns’ starting strong safety has 32 tackles and four TFLs this year.

Delpit suffered the concussion in Week 5 and did not practice this week before being ruled out. Fellow starting safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (ankle) was also ruled out. Cleveland’s depleted secondary will be an easy target for a returning duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith this week.

Delpit suffered the concussion in the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s Week 5 loss to the Commanders and did not return. He is now in the league’s concussion protocol. Delpit has 32 tackles, four TFLs, and one fumble recovery this year.

Delpit was down on the field for a while after a big hit in the fourth quarter. He was able to walk off the field under his own power but will not return to the game with Cleveland trailing by three touchdowns.

Delpit was designated for return earlier this week but won’t be cleared in time for Saturday’s contest. The veteran safety hasn’t played since Week 14’s contest against the Jaguars and will now miss a fifth-consecutive game with the injury. Delpit signed a new deal with the Browns prior to his injury and has totaled 63 tackles, seven TFLs, and one interception in 13 games this season. In addition to Delpit, the Browns also ruled out WR Cedric Tillman (concussion).

Delpit was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury in December and now the Browns open his practice window with Wild Card Weekend looming. He got in a limited practice on Wednesday, opening the door for a potential return on Saturday. Fellow defensive backs Juan Thornhill (calf) and Greg Newsome (knee) also practiced in a limited capacity as the secondary prepares for C.J. Stroud and company.

Delpit just signed a three year extension over the weekend, and now his regular season will be finished. It’s a brutal blow for Cleveland just as they get cornerback Denzel Ward back from injury. Delpit is a former 2020 second-round pick who has started 36 of the 45 games he’s appeared in. This season, he’s totaled 80 tackles, seven TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and one interception. The Browns signed S Duron Harmon to the active roster to take Delpit’s place.

According to Browns GM Andrew Berry, Delpit’s “high energy, on-field personality is the perfect embodiment” of the characteristics the Browns hoped to see from their defense at the start of this season. Delpit entered 2023 in the final year of his contract but will now be under contract with the Browns through the 2026 season. A former second-round pick, Delpit has started 36 of the 45 games he’s appeared in since being drafted in 2020. He’s totaled 80 tackles, seven TFLs, and 1.5 sacks this season, along with one interception, and has been instrumental in helping to mold the Browns into one of the best defensive units in the league.

The details of the extension haven’t been reported yet. Delpit was playing out the final year of his rookie deal before reaching an agreement on a new contract. He has three pass breakups and an interception to go along with 74 total tackles this year. Pro Football Focus has 2023 as a career year for Delpit in both coverage and overall grade. Delpit has played nearly ever defensive snap for the Browns over the past two years and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Ward played in the Browns’ Week 11 win over the Steelers, suffering a shoulder injury during the game. While it is unclear how severe the injury is, Ward sits out practice to begin the week. S Grant Delpit (thigh) and S Juan Thornhill (calf) also missed practice, leading to a thin Browns secondary.