The Cleveland Browns could be without two starting defensive backs Sunday when they open their home schedule against one of the league’s most productive passing offenses.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell and safety Grant Delpit were listed as questionable after both practiced on a limited basis all week. Campbell has been managing ankle and hip injuries, with a knee issue added to the report Friday. Delpit has been limited by a shoulder injury.
Head coach Todd Monken said Friday he still hoped both would be available.
“They went through practice today and we’ll see where they’re at,” Monken said.
Campbell already played through multiple issues last week against Tampa Bay, coming in and out of the lineup. Monken said Monday that “he fought all game to continue to play.”
Losing either starter would thin a secondary that just closed strong in a road win. Losing both would be a larger problem against Carolina.
The Panthers are averaging a league-leading 312.5 passing yards per game. Quarterback Bryce Young has thrown six touchdown passes in two games, tying him for the NFL lead, while completing 46 of 73 attempts for 648 yards and one interception.
Young has posted three-touchdown games in each of Carolina’s first two contests. The Panthers are 1-1 and rank near the top of the league in points per game.
Cleveland’s only player ruled out Friday was right guard Teven Jenkins, who missed practice all week with a back injury and will sit for a third straight game.
Rookie Austin Barber has started in his place and graded well early. Pro Football Focus gave Barber an 82.6 overall mark in the season opener against Jacksonville, the highest among rookie offensive linemen that week. He allowed one pressure, no sacks and no penalties.
Barber and fellow rookie Spencer Fano allowed no pressures in the 23-19 win over Tampa Bay, according to Next Gen Stats.
“Austin did great,” Monken said after the opener. “Austin has been progressively getting better every week.”
Monken had already said Barber earned the starting job after Week 1. Jenkins’ continued absence gives the third-round pick another chance to keep it.
Sunday also marks Deshaun Watson’s first regular-season home start of 2026. Watson completed 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns in Tampa, with both scores coming after halftime as Cleveland rallied to 1-1.
Watson was booed in an August preseason game against Buffalo and later called the reaction “disrespectful” and “personal.” Some fans also cheered when he suffered an Achilles injury in October 2024.
Asked this week whether the Tampa win would change the reception, Watson said he did not know. He told reporters he was “ready for support, ready to feel their energy.”
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at Huntington Bank Field.
