Browns beat Eagles in preseason

An early look at the Eagles Browns game highlights standout performers and roster questions.

Eagles preseason notes show rookie push and QB struggles

The Browns beat the Eagles 22 13 in a game that underscored the rough patch common to August football. Cleveland moved the ball early with quick passes while Philadelphia struggled to sustain offense, at times totaling fewer than 100 yards. Dorian Thompson Robinson started for the Browns and Kyle McCord entered in the second quarter to lead a seven play 31 yard touchdown drive. DTR returned to start the second half but was replaced after an interception, setting the stage for a quarterback competition that will stretch into the next exhibition.

A.J. Dillon’s workload emerged as a key health check for the Eagles. He carried limited yardage but stayed on the field and avoided setbacks, a priority given his neck injury history. The coaches will want to see him adapt to a bigger workload in August as they consider how to pair him with Will Shipley and how often he is used in real game tempo.

The safety depth and offensive line remain unsettled. Vic Fangio’s defense shuffled bodies at safety opposite Reed Blankenship, while rookies like Andrew Mukuba pushed for snaps with an early turnover string that included a pick six and a fumble recovery. Up front, the left guard position remained a work in progress as linemen swapped places between Toth Kendall and others, and the right guard spot held by Tyler Steen suggested the coaching staff is lining up depth for the opener. Inside linebackers showed renewed aggression, and Ainias Smith continued to press for a slot role while also doubling as a punt returner. The team also highlighted rookie receiver Darius Cooper and Johnny Wilson’s limited action as they sort out the receiver depth chart.

The game underscored how far the Eagles still need to go to stabilize the lineup as they near the season opener. On offense, the quarterback competition for depth will dominate conversations, with DTR showing pockets of speed but lingering hesitations in rhythm and pocket presence. McCord’s second quarter drive hints at upside behind the scenes, yet a clear winner may not emerge until later in August. On defense, Mukuba’s two early turnovers suggest a shift in safety depth could be in play, adding a new layer of competition to the nickel package. Special attention should be paid to the ongoing roster chess game around the offensive line and the slot role for Smith, as both areas determine how much flexibility the offense will gain in the regular season. Overall, the game reinforced a common preseason truth: depth is earned in August, not promised by pedigree.

Highlights

As August games roll on, the depth chart stories will sharpen with each rep.