Browns Gaining Back Defensive Line Starter To Help With Thin Depth

Cleveland received some positive news on Monday regarding one of their veteran defensive linemen returning to practice ahead of the regular season.

Sep 14, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) after the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Cleveland Browns are set to embark on their third and final preseason game before the start of the regular season, and they’ll be getting back one of their best veterans on defense.

After the news of Alex Wright’s season ending Achilles injury this past weekend, the Browns were in a position to be extremely thin on their defensive line, even more than before.

Now, a returning Maliek Collins should help their defense look and play more sound.

#Browns DT Maliek Collins (quad) passed his physical and can begin practicing.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 24, 2026

Collins is an established veteran in the NFL and was a serviceable starter on Cleveland’s defense last season before his quad injury shut him down for the remainder of the 2025 campaign. His return to the lineup will be felt due to his presence as a quick and reactive defensive tackle.

With the injuries and inexperience on the defensive line before this news was announced, the Browns needed Collins back in the lineup desperately. He’ll slot right into their starting position opposite of second year standout Mason Graham.

Having Collins back in their lineup is positive news that Browns fans needed to hear. Here’s how his return should help their defense return to form and how it helps their thin depth overall.

Collins’s experience is unmatched, and will bring much-needed chemistry in the trenches

Nov 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) is tackled by Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Collins brings his ten-year NFL experience to a young Browns defense that can always use any amount of leadership. That’s not something teams can find easily, especially for a 31-year-old defensive tackle that is still producing at a high level.

Even though Collins was limited to 12 games in 2025, he was already on pace to have one of his best seasons of his career. Collins had the second most sacks on Cleveland’s defense last season at 6.5, and had 25 total tackles, 15 solo tackles, and one fumble recovery.

Having Collins still playing at a high level is exactly what the Browns need, especially with fellow defensive tackle Graham expected to take a step forward in his second season. Knowing how disruptive both Collins and Graham can be should also take pressure and eyes off their pass rushers.

Adding Jared Verse to the equation will also help out their defensive tackles in terms of their disruption for opposing offenses. After Wright’s season ending injury, the Browns went out and added another veteran defensive lineman by signing Derek Barnett over the weekend.

Cleveland’s front office knew how thin their defensive line was before the injuries but were quick to act on that with the regular season right around the corner. With a much-improved defensive line on paper ready to go with Collins returning and Barnett’s arrival, this should also help their linebackers and secondary make plays and hopefully force turnovers.

Collins should be returning to the practice field as early as this week, although the Browns could play it safe and not force him back right away to preserve him for the start of the season.