Browns activate Myles Garrett from COVID-19 list, put Ronnie Harrison on injured reserve
With a couple of significant roster moves executed Tuesday, the Browns made it known they will be missing their top safety for a while and their best player is officially back.
Starting strong safety Ronnie Harrison landed on injured reserve, so, by rule, he must miss at least three games. He is expected be out for four to six weeks, a person familiar with the situation confirmed to the Paste BN Network. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss a player's timeline for return.
Harrison suffered a shoulder injury in Sunday's 27-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars while tackling rookie running back James Robinson during the first play from scrimmage.
The Browns were able to announce a positive development to accompany the disappointing news regarding Harrison.
Star defensive end Myles Garrett was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, where he wound up on Nov. 20 and spent the past two games.
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On Monday, coach Kevin Stefanski said Garrett was on track to return Wednesday, when the Browns (8-3) are scheduled to begin the practice week in preparation for Sunday's road game against the Tennessee Titans (8-3).
Despite sitting out the past two weeks, Garrett is tied for second in the NFL with 9½ sacks and tied for first in the league with four forced fumbles.
Stefanski said he didn't have an update about Harrison early Monday afternoon because the player was still undergoing testing, which included an MRI.
With Harrison in danger of missing the remainder of the regular season, the Browns are expected to turn to Karl Joseph as their starting strong safety opposite starting free safety Andrew Sendejo.
ProFootballFocus.com has graded 91 safeties this season. Harrison is ranked 12th, Joseph 82nd and Sendejo 87th.
Joseph started the first four games of the season before suffering a hamstring injury and losing his spot on the depth chart to Harrison. Joseph played all 64 snaps Sunday after Harrison was hurt on the first play.
Browns General Manager Andrew Berry acquired Harrison on Sept. 3 by trading a 2021 fifth-round draft pick to the Jaguars.
Harrison became a bright spot for the defense after the coaching staff eased him into its plans. He has appeared in nine games this season with six starts and recorded 31 tackles, six passes defensed and one interception, which he returned 47 yards for a touchdown Oct. 11 in a 32-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
But Harrison has also had his playing time cut short by a concussion suffered against the Colts, a knee contusion suffered early in the first quarter of last week's 22-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles and the shoulder injury suffered against the Jaguars.
With Harrison injured and backup free safety Sheldrick Redwine considered day to day with a knee injury , Berry claimed safety Tedric Thompson off waivers Monday from the Kansas City Chiefs to provide depth.
The Browns also released cornerback Stephen Denmark from the practice squad Tuesday.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.