Exciting Cleveland Browns Defensive Back Injured at Practice

The Cleveland Browns have been routinely criticized since returning to the NFL in 1999 for a series of bad selections in the NFL Draft. But, there have been some finds via the undrafted free-agent route.

Browns cornerback Michael Coats Jr. was signed as an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia University, and it is believed that he has played his way into the hunt for a spot on the 53-man roster, as the team searches for depth in the defensive secondary. Unfortunately for Coats, he left Tuesday’s practice with what looked like a rather serious injury.

Michael Coats Jr. Helped off the Practice Field Tuesday

At practice on Tuesday, Coats was helped from the field by a couple of members of the training staff, and he was unable to put any pressure on his right leg. The exact source and severity of the injury is unknown at this time, but it’s likely first-year head coach Todd Monken will offer up an update prior to Thursday’s preseason finale against the New England Patriots.

#Browns rookie CB Michael Coats helped off. No weight on right leg. He’s had a great camp pic.twitter.com/oFw2ELL84j

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 25, 2026

If Coats suffered some sort of a serious injury, that would be a huge bummer for the former Mountaineers defensive back. He has turned heads during training camp and the preseason, and is a legitimate threat to make the 53-man roster.

The Browns have Tyson Campbell and Denzel Ward Jr. at the starting cornerback spots, with Nate Evans and D’Angelo Ross expected to be the primary backups. Then, it is a mix of Tre Avery, Jeremiah McClendon and Coats Jr. fighting for a spot. Damarri Mathis is also believed to be in the mix, but he is on the reserve/injured list after being carted off in practice two weeks ago.

Coats showed the coaching staff what he can do in the preseason opener on the road against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, Aug. 15, recording a pair of solo tackles with two passes defensed before rolling his ankle, and leaving midway through the third quarter.

One of those passes defensed against Chicago went for an interception for Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent. That’s when Coats started getting some shine, forcing his way into the picture in early roster projections.

In last Saturday’s preseason game with the Buffalo Bills, Coats was again able to shine, recording four total stops, including three solo tackles, more than holding his own in the game.

The undrafted free agent is believed to be very much in the mix for a roster spot, and if he cannot crack the 53-man, other teams are likely to come calling, as long as his injury is not severe. It is also uncertain if his injury is recurring, from the ankle ailment he suffered in Chicago, or if it is a new issue. Either way, Cleveland will not likely be able to sneak him onto the practice squad after his impressive preseason showings.