The Browns are getting some reinforcement on the offensive line. The team announced that it has activated guard Michael Dunn from the reserve/non-football illness list.
In corresponding moves, the team placed defensive end Alex Wright on injured reserve and elevated cornerback Tony Brown II and tight end Geoff Swaim from the practice squad.
Dunn landed on the NFI with an undisclosed illness as Cleveland was making its final cuts. The veteran should provide the Browns with some relief at offensive guard, where the team has been relying on rookie Zak Zinter to fill in for the injured Wyatt Teller. A former UDFA out of Maryland, Dunn has appeared in 40 career games (six starts), with all of his NFL appearances coming with the Browns.
Wright’s placement on IR isn’t a surprise after we learned earlier this week that the defender suffered a season-ending triceps injury. Wright had been dealing with the issue since the summer and underwent an MRI after experiencing more pain in Week 2. He battled through the injury and saw the field for Week 3 and Week 4, but a second MRI revealed a partial tear.
The team’s two practice-squad elevations bode well for the OL depth heading into the weekend. Both Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin are listed as questionable, but it’s looking increasingly likely that the duo will be on the field for Sunday's game against the Commanders.
Wills has been dealing with a knee injury since last season that’s limited him to only a single appearance in 2024. Conklin hasn’t gotten into an NFL game since last year’s season opener while dealing with a hamstring injury.
On the flip side, Swaim’s promotion may signal that David Njoku still isn’t ready to return from his ankle injury. The starting tight end hasn’t seen the field since Week 1. Swaim has appeared in two games this season while splitting time between his offensive role and special teams.