Willies (knee) was waived from the reserve/retired list Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.
Analysis: Willies dealt with a knee injury prior to being placed on the reserve/retired list in July of 2021. However, he's now healthy and will be free to sign with another team if he decides to come out of retirement.
Feb 16, 2022 1:58 PM EST
Willies (knee) was placed on the reserve/retired list Friday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Willies appeared in five games for the Browns in 2018 and one in 2020, totaling three catches for 61 yards. Placing Willies on the reserve/retired list will allow the Browns to retain the 26-year-old wide receiver's contract rights if he comes out of retirement.
Jul 30, 2021 1:22 PM EST
Willies has not participated in the first two practices of training camp after undergoing minor surgery on his knee this offseason, Dan Labbe of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski downplayed Willies' absence, saying that the receiver is fine and his lack of participation is all part of the rehab plan. Willies has had a history of injuries, spending time on injured reserve in 2018 and 2019, then was part of the practice squad in 2020.
Jul 29, 2021 5:52 PM EST
Willies signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns on Monday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Willies spent the last six weeks of the season on the Browns' practice squad, and he logged just three offensive snaps in his lone elevation. The 26-year-old will vie for a special-teams role in 2021.
Jan 19, 2021 11:27 AM EST
Willies was not targeted and played three snaps in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Jets.
Analysis: Willies was added to the active roster after the Browns placed their top four wideouts on the COVID-19 list. He was part of a fill-in crew that included Ja'Marcus Bradley (77 snaps) and Marvin Hall (74), but Willies played a significantly smaller role.
Dec 28, 2020 4:25 AM EST
The Browns elevated Willies to the active roster Saturday.
Analysis: Willies and Ja'Marcus Bradley were both called up from the practice squad after Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Jarvis Landry and Donovan Peoples-Jones were all placed on the reserve/COVID-19. The four receivers won't play in Sunday's game against the Jets. Willies hasn't played in an NFL game since the 2018 season, and he didn't produce notable numbers in college. Nevertheless, he's slated for a meaningful snap count alongside Bradley and Marvin Hall in Week 16.
Dec 26, 2020 3:51 PM EST
The Browns signed Willies to the practice squad Tuesday.
Analysis: Willies tore his ACL while on the Browns' practice squad in October 2019, and he's made a full recovery with hopes of working his way back into the league. The 26-year-old wideout hasn't played an NFL game since 2018 when he recorded three receptions for 61 yards through five contests.
Nov 17, 2020 12:44 PM EST
Willies (knee) had his practice squad contract with the Browns expire Monday, freelance NFL writer Howard Balzer reports.
Analysis: Willies was placed on the practice squad injured reserve list in October after suffering a torn ACL. The 24-year-old likely still has significant work to do in his recovery, but there's a chance he's healthy for the start of the 2020 campaign.
Jan 7, 2020 2:55 PM EST
Willies (knee) was placed on the practice squad injured reserve list, Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: Willies suffered a torn ACL during practice Thursday and will be shut down for the season. He was replaced on the practice squad by quarterback Eric Dungey.
Oct 12, 2019 4:02 AM EST
Willies (knee) sustained a torn ACL during Thursday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: It's a huge blow for the 24-year-old receiver, who was attempting to carve out a special-teams role on Cleveland's practice squad. The Texas Tech product will spend the remainder of the season on the practice squad/injured list as he turns his attention towards recovery.
Oct 11, 2019 9:57 AM EST
Willies was placed on the Browns' practice squad/injured list Friday with a knee injury, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: Willies was unable to make Cleveland's season-opening roster but signed with the practice squad after clearing waivers. The 24-year-old had three catches for 61 yards in five games for the Browns last season, and the severity of his knee injury remains unclear.
Oct 11, 2019 7:35 AM EST
The Browns signed Willies to their practice squad Sunday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Willies failed to make the 53-man roster with the Browns during training camp, but was able to stay in a familiar place. Familiarity with the team and coaching staff could lead the Texas Tech product to a promotion should injuries or other circumstances arise.
Sep 1, 2019 1:46 PM EST
Willies (collarbone) recorded one reception for eight yards in Thursday's preseason game against the Redskins.
Analysis: Willies had been hurt for majority of the offseason after undergoing surgery last October. Now, Willies is healthy and started in the team's preseason opener. He will look to secure a depth role at wide receiver this season in Cleveland.
Aug 9, 2019 10:11 AM EST
Head coach Freddie Kitchens said Willies (collarbone) is healthy enough to be practicing now and should be ready for training camp, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: Willies made a splash last season after a three-catch, 61-yard performance Week 5 against Baltimore, but fractured his collarbone in practice a few days later. The Texas Tech product was originally hoping to be ready for OTAs in April -- as reported by Andrew Gribble of the Browns' official site -- but hadn't moved far enough along in his recovery. Willies should have a decent shot at securing a depth role this offseason.
Jun 6, 2019 3:40 PM EST
Willies (collarbone) should be healthy before OTAs, Andrew Gribble of the Browns' official website reports.
Analysis: Willies earned a spot on the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2018, eventually making a splash Week 5 with three catches for 61 yards in an overtime win against Baltimore. He fractured his collarbone in practice a few days later and spent the rest of the season on injured reserve. The 6-foot-4 wideout should have a decent shot at reprising his depth role in 2019, though it won't come as any surprise if the Browns bring in tougher competition at his position.
Feb 1, 2019 1:35 PM EST
Willies (shoulder) underwent surgery Monday morning and is a candidate to be designated for return this season.
Analysis: With Rod Streater (neck) ruled out for the season Monday to go along with the Willies injury, the Browns are now even lighter on wideout depth. Damion Ratley and Breshad Perriman should now both have an opportunity to work as the team's No. 3 wide receiver until Willies potentially returns.
Oct 15, 2018 12:09 PM EST
The Browns placed Willies (shoulder) on injured reserve Saturday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: No surprise here, as Willies fractured his collarbone in Friday's practice. It was unfortunate timing for him, as he had just carved out a role behind Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway on the depth chart with Rashad Higgins (knee-MCL) sidelined indefinitely. Rod Streater and Damion Ratley now figure to be up for that role, but newly signed Breshad Perriman may ultimately be the favorite for the No. 3 role.
Oct 13, 2018 11:09 AM EST
Willies is out indefinitely after fracturing his collarbone in practice Friday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: With that, IR is a possibility for Willies, who had just started to carve out a role behind Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway. Look for Damion Ratley, who was inactive last week, to suit up this weekend, while it seems logical that the Browns might add wideout depth in short order. Rishard Matthews is one name that comes to mind on that front.
Oct 12, 2018 12:47 PM EST
Willies injured his shoulder during practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: If he can't play Sunday, the Browns' wideout corps would be further taxed, with Rashard Higgins sidelined with a knee injury. Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway slot in as the team's top options at the position, but if Willies -- who caught three of his five targets for 61 yards in Week 5 -- can't play Sunday, Damion Ratley, who was inactive last week, would likely suit up this weekend.
Oct 12, 2018 10:01 AM EST
Willies caught three of five targets for 61 yards in Sunday's 12-9 win over the Ravens.
Analysis: Willies caught his first passes of his career Sunday and was able to make an immediate impact despite being on the field for just 32 percent of Cleveland's offensive snaps. He out-snapped newly-signed receiver Rod Streater and could ultimately earn more playing time if he continues to perform like this.
Oct 8, 2018 7:21 PM EST
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