The Cleveland Browns signed defensive tackle Malik McDowell on May 3, 2021.
McDowell has taken a long and sordid road back to the NFL after being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round (35th overall) in 2017.
He was involved in an ATV accident a few weeks before the 2017 training camp.
Medical issues and off-the-field legal issues have kept him away from the game for years.
McDowell is making the most of the chance the Browns have offered him.
Preseason Game Vs. Giants
The 25-year-old McDowell finally got on the field for an NFL snap over four years after being drafted in the Browns preseason game against the Giants.
He played 25 snaps and had five tackles, a sack, and two quarterback hits.
Coach Stefanski On McDowell
Stefanski has high praise for McDowell’s efforts this preseason.
Will it translate into a spot on the 53 man roster?
That is yet to be determined.
“He has been great. He has been great in the meeting rooms, around the building and out on the grass. He is in a really good place, works very hard and is very serious about his craft. I see him making strides every day working with Coach Kiff (defensive line coach Chris Kiffin) and working with (assistant defensive line) Coach (Jeremy) Garrett.”
“To see him out there making plays, his teammates were excited for him. He continues to grind. He continues to work at this thing. He had worked really hard when we got him in the building in the spring. Obviously, had a couple of injuries that set him back but stayed into it with the walkthroughs and stayed into it in the meeting rooms. He is a guy who is really, really battling. He is working very, very hard as we get through this training camp.”
Joel Bitonio On McDowell
As Coach Stefanski mentioned, his teammates are happy to see McDowell making this comeback.
Joel Bitonio talked about how McDowell is doing in camp and through the preseason.
McDowell is expected to get more playing time in the preseason finale against the Falcons on Sunday night.
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