Cleveland Browns have their first real injury update out of OTAs with an impact player dodging bad news

Lisa Scalfaro / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Cleveland Browns have their first real injury update out of OTAs with an impact player dodging bad news

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated May 28, 2026 9:01 AM ET

Cleveland Browns were back on the gridiron for voluntary OTAs on Wednesday. A former second round pick of Cleveland went down with an injury that left him unable to put weigh on the leg. However, good news has come about for the Browns’ defender.

The hope for the Cleveland Browns is that Mike Rutenberg will be able to come in and run a successful defense just like Jim Schwartz has in the past couple of seasons.

Myles Garrett is always going to be the centerpiece of Cleveland’s defense as long as he’s with the Browns, and there’s plenty of talent around him. The Browns have a strong defensive line once again, but there is room to grow.

Third-year defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. is a player to watch in 2026. The former Ohio State standout delivered quite the injury scare on Wednesday.

Browns dodge injury bullet during voluntary OTAs

Anytime players are getting back on the field in what is seen as sort of an acclimation time in OTAs, there’s a worry with injuries. The Browns had Hall leave practice on Saturday, and he was unable to put any weight on his right leg when he was helped off the field.

#Browns DT Mike Hall Jr. helped off. Can’t put weight on right leg. Being tended to on sidelines pic.twitter.com/Emp5RH7xSq
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) May 27, 2026

The good news is that Hall is expected to be okay after going down with some sort of right leg injury. A Browns spokesperson said Hall dodged any major injury following initial evaluation, and that he was held out of practice as a precaution.

A #Browns spokesman said that after the initial medical evaluation on Mike Hall Jr. (right knee), it's not believed to be serious, but he was held out practice as a precaution. He couldn't put weight on the right leg at first, and was helped into the fieldhouse by a trainer.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) May 27, 2026

Hall is a second straight defensive tackle behind Mason Graham in the lineup and brings pass-rush ability from the interior when he’s on the field. Being on the field is the biggest hurdle so far in Hall’s tenure in Cleveland, he’s played in 17 games over two seasons.

During the 2026 season, Hall had 1.5 sacks and 11 tackles in nine games played. The Browns took Hall in the second round during the 2024 NFL Draft to bring him back to the Northeast Ohio area where he’s from.

It’s a key year in Hall’s career heading into the third year of his four-year rookie contract with the Browns. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound pass rusher can be an impact player in a rotation for the Browns. Cleveland gets great news with this injury update for a player they want to see take the next step in 2026.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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