Carlson will undergo surgery on his knee and miss the entire 2021 season, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Carlson suffered the injury during Saturday's preseason opener versus the Jaguars, and there will be no chance of him retaking the field this season. He appeared in 16 games for Cleveland last year and caught one of two targets for 11 yards while primarily playing special teams.
Aug 17, 2021 5:09 PM EST
The Browns placed Carlson (knee) on injured reserve Monday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.
Analysis: Carlson suffered a season-ending knee injury in Sunday's preseason opener against the Jags, rendering this move more of a formality. Prior to the injury, he was enjoying a strong camp and considered a strong candidate to make Cleveland's 53-man roster.
Aug 16, 2021 5:08 PM EST
There are fears that Carlson suffered a season-ending knee injury in Saturday's preseason opener against Jacksonville, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The severity of Carlson's knee injury hasn't been confirmed yet, but it sounds like he'll be facing a lengthy absence. This is an unfortunate turn of events for the tight end, who had been enjoying a strong camp and was on track to secure a spot on the Browns' 53-man roster.
Aug 15, 2021 7:51 PM EST
Carlson (knee) left the Browns' preseason game against the Jaguars and is officially out for the remainder of the game, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: Carlson hurt his knee on a bobbled catch he made in the first half of the game. The third-year tight end played in all 16 games for the Browns last season, primarily on special teams, and as long as his injury isn't serious his contributions to special teams should give him a good chance at making the roster.
Aug 14, 2021 5:12 PM EST
Carlson signed his tender as an exclusive rights free agent with the Browns on Wednesday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: Carlson returns to a crowded tight end room, one which currently features Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant and David Njoku at the top of the pecking order. It seems unlikely that he'll garner any larger a depth role than he served in Cleveland over the last two seasons, when he caught six of nine targets for 62 yards and one score in 25 appearances.
Apr 14, 2021 12:19 PM EST
The Browns tendered exclusive rights with Carlson on Friday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: Carlson entered the offseason as an exclusive rights free agent and will now stay in Cleveland. Through his two seasons with the team, the tight end has caught six of his nine targets for 62 yards and one touchdown.
Mar 5, 2021 12:04 PM EST
Carlson was active but did not play an offensive snap in Sunday's 22-17 playoff loss to the Chiefs.
Analysis: Carlson had just one catch, two targets and 11 receiving yards during the regular season, serving has the fourth tight end. With the top three tight ends under contract for 2021, Carlson will play a similar role should Cleveland bring him back. He becomes an exclusive rights free agent during the offseason.
Jan 18, 2021 6:03 AM EST
Carlson (groin) will play in Sunday's AFC divisional round against the Chiefs.
Analysis: Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant and David Njoku are all healthy for Sunday's playoff game, so Carlson will mainly contribute on special teams.
Jan 17, 2021 10:50 AM EST
Carlson (groin) did not practice Friday and is questionable for Sunday's AFC divisional-round game against the Chiefs, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: Carlson appears truly iffy for Sunday's game, but his presence likely won't impact Cleveland's offense one way or another. He saw just two targets through 16 regular-season games in 2020, and both Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant are set for Sunday while No.3 tight end David Njoku (hamstring) is questionable.
Jan 15, 2021 12:17 PM EST
Carlson caught his lone target for 11 yards in Sunday's 27-25 win over Jacksonville.
Analysis: Carlson is the seldom-used fourth tight end on the Browns' roster. The catch was his first of the season and the target just his second.
Nov 30, 2020 6:24 AM EST
Carlson is expected to receive more playing time with David Njoku (knee) on injured reserve, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: Carlson played just 12 snaps (16 percent) and had one target in the season-opening loss to the Ravens, but moves up to third on the depth chart behind Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant. He broadly fits into the category of blocking tight end, but quarterback Baker Mayfield has used tight ends as red-zone scoring options.
Sep 15, 2020 5:55 AM EST
Carlson was not targeted in Sunday's 33-23 loss to the Bengals in Week 17.
Analysis: Carlson, an undrafted free agent out of Princeton, began the season on the Browns' practice squad before a promotion to the active roster midseason. Cleveland's tight end position was never solidified following David Njoku's wrist injury in Week 2, and all members took turns getting red-zone looks from quarterback Baker Mayfield. Carlson finished with five catches for 51 yards and one touchdown over nine games. With a new head coach coming in 2020, Carlson's status is uncertain. Presumably, a new coach will want to get a good look at Njoku, who missed many weeks due to the injury then ran afoul of former head coach Freddie Kitchens.
Dec 31, 2019 9:56 AM EST
Carlson had one target and played 41 snaps in Sunday's 27-19 win over the Bengals.
Analysis: Carlson was the starting tight end as Demetrius Harris was made inactive and David Njoku made his first appearance since Week 2 due to a wrist injury. His 41 snaps led the position group, but it was Njoku drawing the most targets (three), including one inside the red zone. As Njoku gets acclimated, he is expected to start games and receive the most playing time among Cleveland tight ends.
Dec 9, 2019 3:38 AM EST
Carlson (ankle) was a full participant in Friday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: Carlson does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's contest against the Bengals. The 22-year-old is set for his usual depth role in Cleveland's tight end corps Week 14.
Dec 6, 2019 12:05 PM EST
Carlson (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Carlson has recorded four receptions for 46 yards over the last three weeks, so if he's unable to play Sunday against the Bengals, it will mainly affect the team's run-blocking schemes. The 22-year-old still has two practice sessions to elevate to full capacity.
Dec 4, 2019 12:44 PM EST
Carlson caught two of two targets for 28 yards in Sunday's 20-13 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 13.
Analysis: Carlson is on the target fringe for the Browns but needs to be considered when looking at a Cleveland tight end. Quarterback Baker Mayfield often looks to tight ends in the red zone, so Carlson, who has one red zone touchdown, is in the mix. How long he remains in the mix will depend on what the Browns do with David Njoku (wrist), who is designated to return from injured reserve and could be activated for Week 14 against the Bengals.
Dec 2, 2019 5:26 AM EST
Carlson caught his lone target for eight yards in Sunday's 41-24 win over Miami in Week 12.
Analysis: Carlson, whose touchdown streak ended at one game, had one of four balls targeted to Cleveland tight ends as quarterback Baker Mayfield established chemistry with his main weapons, wide receivers Jarvis Lander and Odell Beckham. With David Njoku (wrist) expected to return for Week 13 against Pittsburgh, Carlson, who was promoted from training squad prior to Week 9, may be the odd man out.
Nov 25, 2019 4:43 AM EST
Carlson caught his lone target for eight yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 21-7 win over the Steelers in Week 11.
Analysis: Carlson was promoted from the Browns' practice squad to the active roster for Week 9 after injuries hit the tight end grouping. He hasn't made much of an impact until Thursday's win, when he had his first target and catch. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has used his tight ends near the goal-line this season. Carlson became the fourth tight end to catch a red-zone touchdown, and the position group is tied with the wideouts for red-zone scores.
Nov 15, 2019 3:56 AM EST
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