The Cleveland Browns, in a decisive roster move, ended hopes of pairing Shilo and Shedeur Sanders under one team. The decision signaled a clear direction for the franchise ahead of the New York Jets clash. What seemed like a promising storyline turned into a firm statement about roster priorities and long-term planning.

“The Browns activated WR Cedric Tillman from injured reserve and signed S Christopher Edmonds to the active roster from the practice squad. They fill the two open spots on the active roster,” Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN reported on X.

The Cleveland Browns chose to elevate safety Christopher Edmonds from the practice squad, rather than sign Shilo Sanders as their safety. Edmonds was originally signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and has appeared in two career games.  

Standing 6 ft 2 and 210 lbs, he is in his first NFL season out of Arizona State University. He played 24 games at Arizona State, posting 121 tackles and 3 interceptions. With his promotion, it appears the Browns are entrusting him with a role in their secondary for the remainder of the season.

Shilo Sanders, a younger safety, will not be able to join the Cleveland Browns this season as a result of the decision. Sanders, a well-known prospect and the brother of Browns QB2 Shedeur Sanders, ends his NFL dreams for this season. The Browns’ decision follows his termination by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an on-field altercation during preseason.

Elsewhere, Cedric Tillman’s activation strengthens the Browns’ receiving corps on the offensive end. Before sustaining a hamstring injury, Tillman caught 11 catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns in his first four games. The offense now has a more potent vertical threat thanks to his comeback. 

In the meantime, Edmonds’ arrival will provide the defense with more options for coverage schemes and younger depth at safety, which is crucial for the Browns against the Jets.

Cleveland Browns- New York Jets clash restructured after the trade

The New York Jets enter their matchup against the Cleveland Browns facing stark differences in team profile. The Jets acquired four draft picks and two backup players. Although new talent and trades have arrived, defensive consistency remains elusive. New York is still in hunt mode, but their defensive frailties and uneven offense make its path difficult. The Jets offense has accumulated roughly 2,401 yards, with passing playing a stronger role than rushing. Meanwhile, their defense ranks roughly 21st in total yards allowed.

On the other side, Cleveland’s strength lies in stopping opponents, and if the Jets can’t sustain drives, the defense can dominate. Cleveland’s offensive situation is among the worst, averaging just 15.8 points per game and ranking 30th in total yardage. Yet their defense stands out among the top units in yards allowed and overall efficiency. For the Cleveland Browns, the poor offensive output limits their margin of error. 

With a 2-6 record and 4th in the AFC North, they are already in precarious standing. The Browns likely need to win multiple games in a row to stay playoff-relevant. On the flip side, the Jets must clean up their defense and become more explosive offensively to have a realistic shot.

This game pits a Jets offense with potential against a Browns defense that delivers. Conversely, a Jets defense that is vulnerable faces a Browns offense that hasn’t yet found traction. The edge may go to Cleveland if their defense dominates, unless the Jets find rhythm early and force the Browns to fight back.