The biggest news of the day for the Cleveland Browns was head coach Todd Monken’s final decision on a starting quarterback (Deshaun Watson), but flying under the radar to a degree was an encouraging injury update on defensive tackle Maliek Collins.
Collins suffered a quadriceps injury in Week 13 of the 2025 campaign that sidelined him until Monday, August 24, when the team announced he can return to regular on-field work.
“DT Maliek Collins has passed his physical and is eligible to return to practice, and other roster moves,” the Browns’ official X account posted.
Cleveland also waived cornerback Tyron Herring, who was on the injured reserve list, and tight end Dea’Quan Wright after he returned to college football via an unprecedented court ruling that provided the undrafted rookie free agent with a fifth year of eligibility.
Browns Face Questions on Defensive Line, Will Rely Heavily on DE Jared Verse, DT Mason Graham to Carry Group
GettyCleveland Browns new edge-rusher Jared Verse will shoulder a heavy burden defensively this season.
Collins’ return is significant for a Browns’ defensive front that is in tremendous flux and at least moderate peril heading into 2026 after proving a dominant unit for several seasons while anchored by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
Garrett is now gone, replaced by Jared Verse. And while Verse is widely considered in the range of a top-10 player at the position, he has not yet proven himself capable of operating on Garrett’s level.
Alex Wright earned the starting defensive end position opposite Verse heading into the season. However, Wright suffered an Achilles rupture during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills last week and is out for the season. Cleveland inked veteran Derek Barnett to fill that role, but the team may still be hunting another DE with a pass rush-specific skill set to round out the group.
Mason Graham, a defensive tackle and the No. 5 overall pick in 2025, had a solid rookie campaign. That said, the Browns will need him to take another step during Year 2. And even if Graham can accomplish that, questions remain as to just how high his ceiling can be positionally in the context of the entire NFL.
Maliek Collins Was Borderline Elite Defensive Tackle for Browns Last Season
GettyCleveland Browns defensive tackle Maliek Collins played well during his first season with the team before an injury cost him the final five games of the 2025 campaign.
Collins is a 10-year veteran entering his age-31 campaign in 2026. He has started 141 of 148 career games played across stints with the Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers and now the Browns.
Cleveland inked Collins to a two-year deal worth $20 million ahead of last season. He started 12 games for the Browns before suffering his injury.
During his first season in Cleveland, Collins tallied 25 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, 6.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. Pro Football Focus ranked Collins 13th overall out of 134 interior defenders in 2025 who saw enough snaps to qualify.
Browns Get Good News on Injured $20 Million Starter