Take a deep sigh of relief if you follow the Browns. Joe Haden expects to return during training camp and is confident that he won’t be missing any games this year.
Joe Haden: "I'm not missing any games" #Browns
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) May 18, 2016
While that’s no assurance that he won’t miss a chunk of training camp, Haden’s optimism should relieve some stress about the Browns secondary going into the 2016 NFL season. The injury occurred during a play against the Arizona Cardinals and was re-aggravated during an off season workout. It remains to be seen how long the injury will affect Haden and if it will carry into the season, but his presence on the field is a major confidence boost in comparison to current Browns cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Justin Gilbert.
More from NFL Hot Takes
- 4 promising first-round receivers to watch in NFL preseason Week 3
- Should Trey Lance be considered an NFL draft bust?
- Jonathan Taylor trade rumors: 3 most alluring fits for Colts star running back
- Falcons rookie Bijan Robinson might be the RB1 in Fantasy Football
- The rise of C.J. Stroud; No. 2 overall pick ready to lead Texans?
Under Ray Horton in 2013, the Browns secondary was one of the top in the league and future promise was shown by players underneath Horton. He had the Browns with 8th best passing defense that year and Haden enjoyed his first Pro Bowl season and showed the shutdown ability that he has flashed his entire career.
The secondary is re-shaped in comparison to the 2013 and even 2014 group and there are questions as to how good they can truly be. Without Tashaun Gipson, who’s in Jacksonville, and Donte Whitner, a current free agent, the Browns will be relying on a few new faces to step into starting roles. Tramon Williams returns and Horton will try to get every ounce of talent out of Justin Gilbert. They will also continue to look for starters at both starting safety positions.
Under Hue Jackson as a whole, the Browns are looking to turn things around and return to the form that’s been missing for the better part of the last 50 years. The return of Joe Haden will make that vision all the more clear.