As the Cleveland Browns prepare for a pivotal Week 8 encounter against the New England Patriots, the stakes have never been higher. This matchup not only has significant implications for their performance at the NFL trade deadline but could also prompt discussions surrounding head coach Mike Vrabel if the Browns fail to secure a win.
The spotlight will be on defensive end Myles Garrett, who has the opportunity to surpass the legendary Reggie White in an impressive sack milestone this week. Garrett’s pursuit of this record adds an extra layer of excitement to an already crucial game.
In terms of player status, Cleveland has two individuals listed as questionable for the upcoming game, while New England reports only one questionable player. With the Browns’ roster struggling to find offensive cohesion, the team has recently evaluated several potential additions. On Friday, Cleveland invited six players for workouts in hopes of strengthening its roster:
– **QB Seth Henigan**: The former Memphis quarterback, who amassed over 14,000 passing yards during his college career, went undrafted in 2025.
– **WR Brenden Rice**: The son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, Brenden showcased his skills with 11 touchdowns in his final season at USC, ultimately being selected in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers.
– **WR Eli Pancol**: As a super senior at Duke, Pancol recorded 798 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2024 but went undrafted in 2025.
– **WR Dymere Miller**: Having spent just one season at Rutgers, Miller managed 757 yards and four touchdowns in 2024 before not being drafted.
– **TE Drake Dabney**: Dabney had a standout final year at Baylor in 2023 with 33 receptions for 552 yards and five touchdowns, yet went undrafted after a less productive season at TCU.
– **TE Caden Prieskorn**: Combining for over 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns across three seasons at Memphis and Ole Miss, Prieskorn also went undrafted in 2025.
Among these players, only Brenden Rice has had any taste of NFL action, contributing with three offensive snaps and ten special team snaps during a brief stint with the Chargers last year.
The outcomes of the upcoming game may influence not only the Browns’ strategies for the remainder of the season but recruitment efforts moving forward. As the team navigates this critical juncture, fans are left hopeful for a positive outcome that revitalizes their playoff aspirations.