With a matchup against the New York Jets just a day away, the Cleveland Browns have elevated two players from their practice squad. Linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk and defensive tackle Roderick Perry are now eligible to play in Sunday’s game and may be called on to make some plays if the team decides to activate them.
Buy Browns TicketsCleveland announced the move on Twitter:
We have elevated 2 players from our practice squad to the active roster for Sunday's game
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 17, 2022
Both players are set to play their first defensive snaps with the Browns if they see action against the Jets, though Kunaszyk is likely to see the field exclusively on special teams. The linebacker was involved in 22 of Cleveland’s special teams snaps last week, good for 69 percent of the team’s total opportunities in that phase.
Perry, on the other hand, is a rookie seeking to play the first snaps of his NFL career. His elevation comes on the heels of a disciplinary incident by the Browns related to rookie defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey, who was absent from practice on Friday. It is unknown if the team plans to use Perry as a direct replacement for Winfrey, but the move certainly opens up that possibility.
The Browns’ showdown against the Jets is set to be a slugfest, as both teams look to show their fans they’re ready to compete this season. Both franchises have something to prove in the Week 2 scrap and are likely to bring innovative gameplans into the matchup as they seek to hone their skills before they get into the meat of their schedule.
Cleveland’s decision to elevate Kunaszyk and Perry won’t prove to be the most consequential move they make in the month of September but has significant implications for each player. Both prospects are being given the chance to show that they have what it takes to make it on an NFL defense, and with some luck, could do enough to maintain their status on the 53-man roster.
