Browns Announce Inactives For Playoff Matchup vs. Texans

Cornerback Denzel Ward is active after suffering a knee injury in practice earlier in the week

The Cleveland Browns have put the following players on their inactives list for Saturday's Wild Card game against the Houston Texans:

• K Dustin Hopkins
• QB Jeff Driskel (3QB)
• WR Cedric Tillman
• RB Pierre Strong Jr.
• CB Kahlef Hailassie
• C Luke Wypler
• DE Isaiah McGuire

Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward is not on the inactives list after suffering a knee injury Thursday, which forced the Browns to rule him questionable for the game. 

That's a huge lift for the Browns' top-ranked defense, which will need Ward, the top cornerback, to suppress the throwing talents of Texans rookie cornerback C.J. Stroud. Ward could see ample action against Stroud's favorite receiving target, Nico Collins, who thrived among Stroud's breakout season and finished eighth in the league in receiving yards.

Nov 5, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) celebrates his broken up pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (2) during the third quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Safety Juan Thornhill (calf) is also active after being listed as questionable for the game.

Kicker Dustin Hopkins (left hamstring), wide receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion) and safety Grant Delpit (groin) were all ruled out Thursday due to their injuries. All three players could possibly return next week for the Divisional Round if the Browns extend their season with a win over the Texans.

Quarterback Jeff Driskel is the emergency third quarterback, which means P.J. Walker will serve as the backup quarterback. The Browns, of course, hope they won't need to use either quarterback Saturday, but it's interesting to see Driskel listed on as third QB after offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said Wednesday he would be the backup after starting in their meaningless Week 18 game.

"Jeff (Driskel) is our as our backup moving forward," Van Pelt said. "Thought he did a good job last week, put in a tough spot, come in and just go after a week of being around. It wasn’t always perfect, but he did some really good things.”