54 Olivier Vernon DE

The Browns have until a week before the regular season opens to release Vernon without having to pay him, Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Vernon has one more year on his contract, valued at $15 million, and the Browns will be evaluating him over the summer. His impact as an edge rusher is well known, but recently Vernon's durability has become a concern. The 29-year-old defensive end missed four games in 2017 and five games in 2018 due to high-ankle sprains before last season's knee injury limited him to 10 games. The Browns are aware that when healthy last season, Vernon made an impact and could be a big piece of the defensive line, which the team feels is its strongest feature on that side of the ball.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski assumes Vernon will be part of the Browns' 2020 roster, Marla Ridnour of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The Browns did not select a defensive end during the seven rounds of the draft, suggesting Vernon will be around for the 2020 season. "That's my assumption. Obviously, I think Olivier is a really great player, unfortunately he was banged up a little bit. We look forward to all our guys contributing next year," said Stefanski, who added that no messages should be read into the team not drafting a defensive end. "But I wouldn't say it was a message of any sort, the fact we didn't draft a defensive end. We're not in the business of sending messages via the draft. We trusted the board and as the players came up, we made sure that we had the right people for the job." Vernon, who is due a team-high $15.5 million in salary and bonuses this season, was limited to 11 games in 2019, his first with the team, due to a knee injury and finished with 3.5 sacks and 26 tackles.

General manager Andrew Berry declined to say Tuesday whether the Browns intend to bring Vernon back for the 2020 season, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Vernon's inaugural season in Cleveland didn't live up to expectations, as he recorded just 26 tackles (20 solo) and 3.5 sacks across 10 contests -- the defensive end's worst marks since his rookie campaign in 2012. A knee injury significantly hampered Vernon's output during the second half of the season, and it's worth noting that he's now failed to play a full 16-game slate in three straight years. He'll be owed a non-guaranteed salary of $15.5 million if he remains on Cleveland's roster to kick off the 2020 campaign, all of which the team could clear off the books by cutting Vernon.

Vernon had two tackles and half a sack in a 33-23 loss to the Bengals in Week 17. He finished the season with 26 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble over 10 games.

Vernon played 53 snaps (77 percent), the most activity since Week 9 against Denver. The 29-year-old defensive end initially was a formidable pairing along with Myles Garrett at the opposite end, but he dealt with a knee injury over the second half of the season that limited his output. It was the third straight season he failed to play a full 16-game season. Vernon, who has one year remaining on a five-year contract, is expected to return as a starter on a potentially productive defensive line.

Vernon (knee) is active Week 17 against Cincinnati.

Vernon has played in just one game (12 snaps) over the past seven weeks, but after practicing in a limited capacity all week long, he'll be healthy enough to suit up in hopes of ending the season on a positive note. The Browns did not officially announce any lineup changes at the position, however, so it's unclear exactly how the snaps will shake out between Vernon, Chad Thomas and Bryan Cox.

Vernon (knee) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional contest against the Bengals, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Vernon logged a trio of limited practices this week, and he appears to have a fair shot at retaking the field after a three-game absence. If the veteran defensive end is forced to miss more time, however, he'll be replaced by Bryan Cox in the starting lineup again.

Coach Freddie Kitchens said Thursday that Vernon (knee) has "a chance" to suit up for Sunday's season finale in Cincinnati, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Vernon has missed three straight games due to a lingering knee injury, and six of the last seven contests overall. Kitchens said that the veteran is still being considered day-to-day.

Vernon (knee) is inactive Week 16 against the Ravens.

This will be Vernon's third consecutive game missed and sixth overall in his last seven opportunities to take the field. He'll be replaced in the starting lineup by Bryan Cox.

Vernon (knee) is expected to miss the Browns' Week 16 matchup against the Ravens, Josina Anderson of ESPN reports.

Vernon logged limited practices throughout the week but is trending toward his third consecutive absence. Bryan Cox would see a continued role if Vernon is ruled out.

Vernon (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Vernon worked as a limited practice participant this week and may be able to face Baltimore on Sunday. The 29-year-old has missed five of the last six games due to the knee injury.

Vernon (knee) was a limited participant for Thursday's practice.

Vernon attempted to come back from the knee injury Week 12 but wasn't ready and has been inactive for the two games since.

Vernon (knee) was limited at Wednesday's practice, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Vernon has missed five of the last six games, but head coach Freddie Kitchens expressed optimism following the practice session. "He's close [to playing]," Kitchens said. "I don't know if he'll get there or not. We'll see at the end of the week."

Vernon (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Arizona.

The 29-year-old will be sidelined for the fifth time in the last sixth games due to the knee injury. Chad Thomas, Bryan Cox and Porter Gustin should handle the bulk of the reps at defensive end for the Browns in Week 15.

Vernon (knee) is considered day-to-day ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Andrew Gribble of the Browns' official site reports.

Vernon has missed four of the last five games due to this condition, leaving the Browns without their two starting defensive ends since Myles Garrett is suspended. Expect Vernon to be limited if he's able to practice Wednesday.

Vernon (knee) is inactive Week 14 against the Bengals.

Vernon returned from a three-game absence last week against Pittsburgh, but saw a season-low 12 snaps in the loss. He was then limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday before getting scratched for Friday's session and entering the week with a "questionable" tag. With Vernon ultimately sidelined, there will be plenty of snaps at defensive end for the likes of Bryan Cox and Porter Gustin.

Vernon (knee) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional tilt against the Bengals, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Vernon played through his lingering knee injury during Week 13's loss to the Steelers, in which he logged just 12 of 62 snaps on defense. The veteran defensive end could be in for a larger workload if cleared to suit up Sunday, though it remains to be seen whether he'll manage to work at full speed and return to his usual 80-percent snap share.

Vernon (knee) is expected to see more playing time Week 14 against the Bengals, Nate Ulrich and Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal report.

Vernon, who was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, returned from a three-game absence last week but played just 12 of 62 snaps. The Browns won't know until Sunday how much Vernon can give them.

Vernon (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Vernon was limited to 12 defensive snaps in this past Sunday's loss to the Steelers, and coach Freddie Kitchens said the defensive end was sore following the game, according to Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. It's a positive sign that Vernon is on the practice field, albeit in a limited capacity, for the first official session of the week. If he's able to work at full speed, Vernon could return to the 80-percent snap share he typically logs.

Vernon played just 12 snaps (19 percent), registering one tackle and one quarterback hit, in Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Steelers.

Vernon made his return after missing three weeks but appeared to be limited. Scott Patsko of the Cleveland Plain Dealer said Vernon seemed to aggravate the knee during the game, but the Browns have not confirmed that.

Vernon (knee) is active Week 13 against Pittsburgh.

Vernon is back from a three-week absence, providing a welcome boost to the pass rush with Myles Garrett (suspension) on the shelf. He had recorded a sack in back-to-back games prior to the injury, and regularly recorded multiple tackles while taking on a big chunk of the snap share. Look for Vernon to start opposite Chad Thomas on the defensive line.