The Cleveland Browns have taken early steps ahead of training camp to adjust their active roster, announcing a series of transactions that are not just procedural but offer a revealing glimpse into the health and strategic priorities of the team moving forward. Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. and quarterback Deshaun Watson have both been placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Wide receiver David Bell was designated to the Active/Non-Football Injury list, and the team has officially waived wide receiver Jaelen Gill. While these moves might seem like routine summer football operations, they signal deeper currents shaping the Browns’ preseason narrative. For both fans and observers of the league, understanding the nuances behind these roster changes not only clarifies the Browns’ current position but also paints a clearer picture of what to expect as the 2025 season looms.
Let’s start by exploring what it means to be placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list. When a player is designated to the Active/PUP list before training camp begins, it means the player is not yet physically ready to participate in practice due to a football-related injury sustained prior to camp. However, it does not automatically mean that the player is out long term. In fact, the “active” component of the designation allows the team to activate the player at any point during camp once they are medically cleared. For Mike Hall Jr. and Deshaun Watson, this gives the Browns flexibility. They can continue to rehab without occupying a spot on the 53-man roster and can be activated at any point during the preseason without going through the waiver process.
Mike Hall Jr., the rookie defensive tackle out of Ohio State, is perhaps one of the most intriguing placements on the Active/PUP list. Drafted to add punch to the interior defensive line, Hall came into the NFL with a reputation for quickness off the ball and disruptive play in the trenches. During his college career, he demonstrated a knack for shedding blocks and causing havoc in the backfield, even against elite Big Ten offensive lines. However, like many interior linemen, durability concerns followed him into the league. Hall has battled lower-body injuries in the past, and this latest designation suggests that the Browns are being cautious with his integration into the professional game.
It’s worth noting that placing Hall on the PUP list doesn’t necessarily imply a major injury. This could be more about managing reps and easing him into the NFL’s pace and physicality. Given that defensive tackle is one of the most physically demanding positions in football, and considering how valuable a fully healthy Hall could be as a rotational disruptor in Cleveland’s front seven, the team may be choosing to prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term readiness. This also opens the door for other young defensive linemen on the roster bubble to show what they can do in the early days of training camp while Hall watches from the sideline and continues to work toward full health.
The placement of quarterback Deshaun Watson on the Active/PUP list, however, invites significantly more scrutiny. Watson’s health and readiness are paramount to the Browns’ success in 2025, especially after the rollercoaster tenure he’s had since arriving in Cleveland. After missing substantial time in 2023 and dealing with persistent shoulder issues, Watson’s 2024 campaign was equally inconsistent. When on the field, he showed glimpses of his old form, threading tight windows and extending plays with his legs. But the rhythm and continuity that once defined his game in Houston were often absent.
Now, being placed on the Active/PUP list again reignites questions about whether Watson’s shoulder has fully healed. Though offseason reports indicated that he had made progress and was throwing at near full velocity, the Browns have clearly seen something in his physical evaluation that prompted a cautious approach. It could be a case of lingering soreness, incomplete recovery, or a calculated decision to protect their franchise quarterback from unnecessary risk in the early days of camp. What’s important to remember is that this doesn’t mean Watson will miss games. In fact, he can be activated at any point, even if it’s just to get a handful of preseason reps. But for a player who is not only central to Cleveland’s offensive hopes but also carrying one of the most scrutinized contracts in football, every detail of his physical status will be analyzed closely.
Adding further intrigue to Cleveland’s announcement is the designation of wide receiver David Bell to the Active/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list. Unlike the PUP list, the NFI designation applies to injuries that occurred away from official team activities—whether that be training on one’s own, participating in unsanctioned football drills, or even accidents unrelated to football entirely. Bell, who was expected to compete for a more prominent role in the receiver room this season, had reportedly trained diligently during the offseason to improve his speed and separation skills. His placement on the NFI list suggests something unexpected occurred during that training process.
David Bell entered the NFL out of Purdue with high expectations. Known for his exceptional body control and contested catch ability, Bell’s route-running polish and sure hands made him a favorite target in college. But his transition to the NFL has been somewhat muted. He has flashed on occasion, but consistency and explosiveness have been lacking. This year was supposed to be his breakout opportunity—especially with the Browns having overhauled parts of their receiver room and seeking reliable depth behind Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore. Being unavailable at the start of training camp, even temporarily, puts Bell at a disadvantage in the competition for meaningful reps. Timing, chemistry, and trust are built during camp, and any lost time—especially for a third-year receiver trying to establish himself—can prove costly.
Lastly, the decision to waive wide receiver Jaelen Gill rounds out the roster moves, and while it might not make major headlines, it represents a hard truth of NFL training camp: the margin for error is razor thin. Gill, a former Ohio State and Boston College product, had a winding college journey marred by injuries and inconsistent quarterback play. He had talent and a versatile skill set, often being used in the slot or as a gadget option, but never quite lived up to the potential that made him a blue-chip recruit out of high school. Signing with the Browns was always going to be an uphill climb, given the crowded receiver room and the influx of young pass catchers the team has invested in.
By waiving Gill before the bulk of training camp reps even begin, the Browns are signaling their intent to narrow focus and concentrate reps among players with a more realistic shot at making the final roster or practice squad. For a team with playoff ambitions, every decision—no matter how small it may seem—contributes to the broader mission of shaping a cohesive, competitive roster. The NFL is as much about subtraction as it is about addition, and moves like this clear the way for the coaching staff to better evaluate other fringe players.
The broader context of these moves also speaks to how NFL franchises strategically use roster designations not just to manage health, but to maximize evaluation and competition. The PUP and NFI lists are tools that allow a team to maintain roster flexibility while preserving the rights to injured players. It’s a balancing act—protecting the long-term investments while also being able to function in the short term. For instance, had the Browns not placed Watson or Hall on the PUP list, they would have been forced to count against the 90-man active roster from day one, even if they weren’t practicing. By making the PUP designation, the team essentially buys time to see how things progress over the next few weeks.
Moreover, these moves also speak to how training camp and preseason are far more than just glorified practices. They are auditions, pressure cookers, and sometimes, landmines for injury and fatigue. Teams are learning to be smarter about how they ramp up activity, particularly in a league where the wear and tear of a 17-game season plus playoffs demands strategic rest and periodization of work. The Browns, like other forward-thinking franchises, are using every tool in their kit to ensure that when the games count, their core players are physically and mentally ready.
Deshaun Watson’s status will obviously be the headline grabber, and understandably so. His performance will likely determine how far the Browns go this season. But fans and analysts would be wise not to overlook the other names in this transaction. Mike Hall Jr. represents the future of the Browns’ defensive interior. David Bell is still viewed internally as a player with untapped upside. And even the release of Jaelen Gill is a reminder of just how brutally competitive the NFL is, even before the first whistle of a preseason game is blown.
What will be key going forward is how the Browns handle these players’ returns. If Hall and Watson are activated within the first week or two of camp, it likely indicates that these were precautionary moves. But if their designations linger into mid-August or beyond, the tone of concern will rise, particularly in Watson’s case. The Browns’ depth at quarterback is untested, and while they’ve expressed confidence in their backup options, there is no replacing a fully functional Watson when it comes to running the offense at a high level.
Ultimately, this series of moves reflects the strategic, delicate dance every NFL team must perform in late July—trying to protect their investments, maximize their camp evaluations, and prepare for a grueling season that will expose every weakness and magnify every strength. The Browns have made their initial choices, and while no games have been played yet, the tone is already being set. Whether this caution translates into health, cohesion, and competitive advantage down the line will be the story worth watching as training camp unfolds.
