Browns designate two-time Super Bowl champ for return

Juan Thornhill could soon provide a spark to the Browns defense. The team announced that it has designated the safety for return from injured reserve. The Browns now have 21 days to activate Thornhill to the active roster.

The defensive back started Cleveland’s Week 1 loss, collecting nine tackles while getting into 60 defensive snaps. However, he suffered a calf injury in that game, which ultimately landed him on the shelf. Thornhill was first eligible to return from IR this past weekend.

Thornhill inked a three-year deal with the Browns during the 2023 offseason. A calf injury forced him to miss six games during his debut season in Cleveland, but he otherwise managed to start all 11 of his appearances while contributing 54 tackles. The former second-round pick started his career in Kansas City, where he hauled in eight interceptions in 65 games (52 starts). He appeared in nine additional postseason contests, winning two Super Bowl rings along the way. (Although he was inactive during the team’s 2019 run.)

The Browns have been forced to deal with an inconsistent safety corps in 2024. Rodney McLeod Jr. and Ronnie Hickman both stepped up alongside Grant Delpit during Thornhill’s absence. However, both Delpit and Hickman were inactive for Week 6, forcing the team to turn to D’Anthony Bell.