Last weekend at Cleveland Browns Stadium in their second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Cleveland Browns sat 39 players from their 91-player training camp roster. In the prior week against the Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns Stadium the Browns played 5 starters total in the first preseason game. This is a new strategy for head coach Kevin Stefanski. And the strategy is receiving criticism.

Both Browns fans and beat reporters feel that they are being kept in the dark on where the Cleveland Browns are as a team. By not seeing the starters play in the preseason, there is no tangible way to measure the progress of the 2024 Cleveland Browns. Local sports talk radio, and podcasters have been more vocal lately on the belief that this is a mistake. They all point out that teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers who are playing their starters in preseason games. The point that might be missed is that the Browns are doing this for a reason.

The reason for this is the Browns are avoiding any serious injuries. After last season and the rash of injuries suffered by the team, the Browns are being cautious this season. Their $230 million dollar quarterback is coming off shoulder surgery. Running back Nick Chubb and left tackle Jed Wills are both still rehabbing knee injuries. The Cleveland Browns understand that team health is a major factor of success in 2024. At the same time the Browns key players need their reps in both practice and in games.

This Saturday the Cleveland Browns will travel to Seattle to play the Seahawks in their preseason finale. It is considered the final tune up for the regular season. The Cleveland Browns do plan on playing their starters for at least the first two series in this game. This is the plan to get the starters game reps. Will the plan pay dividends for the Browns in the regular season? We will not get that answer until September 8th against the Dallas Cowboys.