Browns elevate 2 for playoff game; Both decisions may be injury indicators

Riley Patterson was expected but John Kelly’s elevation could indicate a few things

As injury concerns continue to linger for the Cleveland Browns, we are just under 24 hours away from their first playoff game in three years. This year, the team travels to Texas to take on the Houston Texans.

The Browns final injury report included three players out:

• K Dustin Hopkins
• S Grant Delpit
• WR Cedric Tillman

Cleveland also listed four players as questionable including three in the secondary:

• CB Denzel Ward
• CB Mike Ford
• S Juan Thornhill
• RB Pierre Strong

On Friday, the day before the Wild Card game in Houston, the Browns elevated two players off their practice squad for Saturday:

• K Riley Patterson
• RB John Kelly Jr.

Patterson’s elevation was certain with Hopkins out but Kelly’s seems to provide some injury indications.

First, not elevating anyone from the secondary seems to indicate that Ward, Ford and Thornhill, or at least two out of the three, will be available on Saturday. Second, Kelly’s elevation could indicate that Strong will not be able to play.

It is also possible that Kelly will be able to help on special teams and allow Cleveland’s running backs stay fresh for the offense throughout the game.