Browns Cut Former 3rd-Round WR Hours Before Preseason Finale

The Cleveland Browns have cut veteran wide receiver Cedric Tillman, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Tillman signed with the Browns in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 74th overall. He was entering the final season of his rookie deal and was set to earn $3.6 million in 2026. The team is now sending him to the waiver wire, where another NFL franchise may claim him.

NFL rosters must be trimmed down to 53 players by Sunday. During the 2026 NFL Draft, the Browns selected two wide receivers: KC Concepcion at No. 24 and Denzel Boston at No. 39. Both are listed as starters for the preseason finale against the New England Patriots. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, taken as the No. 15 overall pick in 2020, is also named as a starter.

Tillman missed several weeks of training camp due to an undisclosed injury. Although he returned to practice this week, he did not play any preseason games. Over three seasons with the Browns, Tillman started in 19 games, caught 71 passes for 833 yards and scored five touchdowns in 38 games.