The Cleveland Browns are in the middle of mandatory minicamp, which concludes on Thursday, June 11. But one of their key players couldn’t take part in the minicamp due to an injury. 

Jared Mueller of Dawgs by Nature reported that four of the Browns’ key players weren’t participating fully, and their defensive tackle, Mason Graham, was spotted with a walking boot on his right foot. 

"With over a month until the start of training camp, the Browns could be playing things safe with a couple of those players, including Collins, who ended the season on injured reserve. Graham’s walking boot adds to the concern about the key second-year player," Mueller wrote.

The Browns are going through a wave of changes under their first-time head coach, Todd Monken. The beginning of this month saw DE Myles Garrett traded to the Rams, and yesterday, OL Joel Bitonio announced his retirement. 

Mueller reported the players other than Graham who didn’t participate were TE Harold Fanning Jr., TE Carsen Ryan, DT Maliek Collins and safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. 

Mike Battaglino of Browns Nation revealed that the Browns are having high hopes for Graham by counting on him to deliver pass rush after their star player, Garrett, moved on. Newcomer Jared Verse will also help in the pass-rush production. 

The 22-year-old is coming off an effective season where he registered 49 tackles (28 solo), seven tackles for loss and four QB hits. Battaglino added that the Browns are expecting the overall No. 5 pick during the 2025 Draft to improve on the half sack he made last season.

Although Graham had a good rookie year, his recent injury raises concerns about how much his game will improve in the 2026 season.

The concern continues after Graham recently revealed that he suffered a broken rib during the week 13 game last year.

Graham’s Broken Rib Adds Context to His Rookie Season

The Browns’ rookie appeared in all 17 games in his rookie year, but was dealing with an injury during the last six weeks. 

Graham told reporters after the OTAs in May that he played through a broken rib at the end of the 2025 season. He cracked his rib in the midst of a tackle during the week 13 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

“I had a broken rib, so I mean it hurt pretty bad,” said Graham to reporters on the second day of the OTA. “Just take a little pill before the game, suck it up a bit and get through it.”

Spencer German of the Roundtable Sports concluded by saying that it was “remarkable” that Graham played all 17 games in 2025 despite the injury.

As Graham enters his second year with a foot injury, his health will be a key storyline heading to training camp and then the 2026 NFL season. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore