In many ways, the end of the 2024 NFL season is meaningless for the Cleveland Browns. On the other hand, the team can learn a lot about some young players, start making plans for the offseason and try to convince DE Myles Garrett that they won’t be rebuilding.

One of the younger players that seemed to be having a breakout season was WR Cedric Tillman. Before Jerry Jeudy seemingly cemented himself as Cleveland’s top receiver of the future (and became a part of the story around the New York Jets failures), Tillman was busy proving his supporters right.

Then Tillman went down with a concussion and hasn’t been on the field in a month.

Saturday, the Browns ruled Tillman out for their Week 16 game against the Cincinnati Bengals despite the receiver practicing, on a limited basis, all week.

Cleveland also added a back injury to CB Martin Emerson’s injury report. Emerson did not practice Wednesday and was limited on Thursday and Friday leading to a questionable designation before the back injury was added.

A sign, perhaps, that Emerson won’t be able to play Sunday is that the Browns elevated CB Kahlef Hailassie, along with returner James Proche III, for the game against the Bengals.

Official word on Emerson’s status will come when the inactive reports are released at 11:30 AM on Sunday.