Cleveland’s upcoming preseason showdown with Philadelphia centers on identifying the Browns’ most impactful players in a game that doubles as a red‑zone of evaluation. Dorian Thompson-Robinson returns to face his former team, eyeing a bigger workload behind Kyle McCord and Tanner McKee’s dueling reps in Philly’s depth. Darius Cooper, the undrafted Eagles receiver, is pegged for heavy snaps, while Browns linebackers Dallas Gant and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. aim to show they belong in future game plans. AJ Dillon’s rebound arc and Chipper‑level performances by Cameron Mitchell and Rayshawn Jenkins add to the intrigue, as Cleveland looks to lock in role players and build depth for the regular season. The dynamic also features a Kenny Pickett‑era bookmark, with McKee, McCord, and Thompson-Robinson all vying for critical QB3 reps and possible future opportunities.

Cleveland’s preseason opener highlighted a potential influx of disruptive pieces on defense. Rookie Carson Schwesinger flashed in limited action, posting 4 tackles and 2 assists over 13 snaps, with 3 run stops on five run-defense plays and a game-high run-defense grade per PFF. The Browns’ defensive line depth shone: Julian Okwara logged 2 sacks and 2 TFL, Alex Wright contributed a sack, and Adin Huntington added a sack and a TFL while racking up multiple special-teams stops. Mason Graham also saw 13 snaps with steady, if quiet, deployment. Carolina’s squad showed resilience, with Nathaniel Watson and Winston Reid racking tackles for the Panthers, and Chigozie Anusiem and Easton Mascarenas-Arnold among the defenders who hit solidly. The Browns allowed 1 TD, held Carolina to 25% on third down, logged 4 sacks and 251 yards allowed, underscoring a promising, depth-laden performance that could tilt roster decisions in the coming weeks. Fantasy takeaway centers on Schwesinger’s burst and the Browns’ edge rotation—Okwara and Wright in particular—plus the potential headline-grabbers at corner and depth linebackers vying for roles as the season nears.

In the Carolina Panthers’ preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, a heated exchange led to the ejection of wide receiver Xavier Legette and safety Rayshawn Jenkins in the first quarter. The confrontation began during a Panthers touchdown drive when Legette blocked Jenkins on a play that resulted in a loss for running back Chuba Hubbard. Following some shoving, Legette threw punches at Jenkins, who retaliated by removing Legette's helmet. The incident escalated until both players were sent to their locker rooms after offsetting fouls were called.