Personnel actions always involve certain risks. When a team cuts a young player to make room, it opens the door for 31 other teams to claim him, and many promising prospects are lost that way. Sometimes the gamble pays off and the player makes it untouchable. That was the case for one Browns youngster this week.
Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reports that the Browns have returned 7th-round TE Carsen Ryan to the practice squad.
“The #Browns signed TE Carsen Ryan in the 7th round, who returned to the practice squad after clearing waivers,” Cabot said.
The #Browns signed TE Carsen Ryan in the 7th round, who returned to the practice squad after clearing waivers.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 28, 2026
The release of Carsen Ryan was tied to the defensive backroom. On Monday, the Browns activated Dillon Gabriel off injured reserve and waived Ryan a spot on the 53-man roster that carries four quarterbacks.
That decision came at a cost, and Ryan was the player who paid it. Waiving him meant that any team could claim him, but he went unclaimed, so the Browns were able to get him back for nothing.
Keeping him in the building was clearly a priority. Ryan Season Harold Fannin Jr. and spent as a depth piece behind Blake Whiteheart, who missed practice earlier this month with a calf injury. Bringing him back right away shows the coaching staff still sees value in his development.
The tight end room has been a talking point of late. Fannin broke the franchise record in his first 2 seasons after his big catch set up the game-winning field goal against the Tennessee Titans.
Ryan gives the Browns an option if they need one. Experienced linebackers can be promoted to the active roster for up to 3 games in a season, so the Browns can bring him back on game days without giving up another roster spot.
The team has used that flexibility often this year. Cleveland has shuffled its practice squad nearly every week to combat injuries, signing and later releasing Devin Culp earlier this month.
Still, the bigger story is the decision that started it. Carrying 4 quarterbacks has put pressure on the rest of the roster, and if the Browns decide to move Shedeur Sanders or Gabriel, the November 10 trade deadline could bring a change. If that happens, Ryan could be back on the 53-man roster before too long.
For now, the Browns are starting to keep the young player they like while maintaining their quarterback depth. As they prepare to face No. 1 seed Pittsburgh, this is as good as this move can get.
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