As the Cleveland Browns gear up for their 2025 training camp, the team has announced a series of significant roster moves that signal a challenging start to the season. Quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. have been placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, while wide receiver David Bell has been assigned to the Active/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list. Additionally, the Browns have waived wide receiver Jaelen Gill with a non-football injury designation. These moves, made as veterans reported on 22 July 2025, reflect the team’s cautious approach to managing injuries as they prepare for a critical campaign in the competitive AFC North.
Deshaun Watson’s placement on the PUP list was widely anticipated, given his ongoing recovery from a re-torn Achilles tendon suffered during the 2024 season and subsequent surgery in January 2025. The 29-year-old quarterback, whose tenure with the Browns has been marred by injuries and off-field controversies, faces an uncertain future, with some reports suggesting he may miss the entire 2025 season. Despite his absence from the field, Watson has remained engaged, mentoring younger players and participating in team meetings. However, his limited on-field contribution—only 19 starts over three seasons—has led Browns owner Jimmy Haslam to label the 2022 trade for Watson a “big swing and a miss,” underscoring the team’s shift towards a four-way quarterback competition featuring Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders.
Second-year defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. joins Watson on the PUP list as he continues to rehabilitate a knee injury sustained in the 2024 season finale against Baltimore. The former second-round pick, who showed promise with a sack and six quarterback hits in eight games last season, is expected to return sooner than Watson, potentially during training camp. Meanwhile, wide receiver David Bell’s placement on the NFI list raises questions, as his designation suggests his hip injury—originally suffered during a game in September 2024—may have been aggravated outside of team activities. Bell, a third-round pick in 2022, has struggled to make an impact, with only 41 receptions in 32 games, and his recovery timeline remains unclear.
The decision to waive Jaelen Gill, a Cleveland native and former Ohio State receiver, marks the end of his brief stint with the Browns. Signed in June 2025 to compete for a roster spot, Gill’s non-football injury designation suggests an issue unrelated to team activities, effectively closing the door on his hopes of making the 53-man roster. This move opens a roster spot, which the Browns may use to address other needs, particularly in the running back room, where rookie Quinshon Judkins’ absence due to a legal issue has created uncertainty. The team’s focus now shifts to evaluating their depth, with players like Cedric Tillman and Diontae Johnson expected to compete for key roles in the receiving corps.
As the Browns commence training camp on 23 July 2025, these roster adjustments highlight the team’s efforts to navigate a complex injury landscape while fostering competition. With Watson’s return uncertain and Hall Jr. and Bell sidelined for now, head coach Kevin Stefanski faces the challenge of building cohesion among a revamped roster. The quarterback battle, in particular, will dominate headlines, as the Browns look to move beyond the Watson era and establish a new identity. While players on the Active/PUP and NFI lists remain eligible to return upon passing physicals, the team’s immediate focus is on maximising reps for healthy players and preparing for their preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers on 8 August 2025.
