How Does Marquise Goodwin's Health Complicate Roster Moves for Browns?

The Cleveland Browns played their final game of the preseason on Saturday in Kansas City. There has been plenty of talk this preseason about the team's 6th wide receiver position on the roster and who exactly will it be, if Marquise Goodwin is going to miss time.

Goodwin was the talk of the team's OTA's and if you are a true Browns fan you definitely watched several videos of the veteran receiver getting open deep for connections from Deshaun Watson. Unfortunately, the hype about Goodwin came to a halt when it was announced that the receiver was going to miss an unspecified amount of time due to a non-football medical condition as the team was set to start training camp.

Goodwin had reported some slight discomfort to team trainers during the end of OTA's. It turns out that further testing revealed that Goodwin was dealing with blood clots, which is a very serious condition that can jeopardize someone's life. The risk of a stroke or cardiovascular event is increased and the person must begin taking a regimen of blood thinners.

Thankfully the medical issue was diagnosed and treatments started right away. It appears that Goodwin is on his way to a full recovery. Meanwhile, no timetable has been given for his expected return to the football field.

He has remained close to the team throughout training camp without physically participating in practice. According to his teammates and coaches, having him around has been good for the team, as he is often praised for his positive demeanor.

The fact that he is dealing with a non-football injury, combined with not practicing during the preseason, leaves him in a unique position when it comes to roster considerations. He can be placed on the NFI list- (non-football injury) to start the season. This would allow him to remain close to the team, participating in meetings and practices without taking up one of the precious fifty-three roster spots.

He would be required to miss a minimum of six games and to be activated by the eighth week of the season. If he is unable to return by the team's eighth game, he would need to miss the entire season.

The mysterious part of all of this is that we have no idea on where he is in his recovery. In theory, the team could not make any designation on his status and he could return when cleared by doctors. This though, would have him take up an active roster spot. If his anticipated recovery is still weeks away, however, the NFI list would be a great option for the team to allow for more roster flexibility.

If the Browns were to have put him on the NFI list during the preseason, rules would have required him to be away from the team to start the season until he is ready to return. A rule that I am honestly still trying to make sense of. The only people who truly know what will happen with his roster status this week are the team, Goodwin and his doctors.

Perhaps Goodwin could be ready to return by the season opener and we are set in the wide receiver room. With that said, I think the chances of him opening the year on the NFI list are very high and whatever decision they make will be very telling.

In the meantime, I feel it is prudent to explore options for the spot reserved for Goodwin in the receiver room. While I originally wanted Austin Watkins Jr. to make the roster, I have since reconsidered my position due to him being a lack of a deep threat. For me, he and David Bell have a similar skill set and I believe that Bell could have a higher ceiling. In addition, I feel the team would be better suited to add a receiver who in addition to speed could also offer something returning punts.