Browns DT Maliek Collins passes physical, cleared to begin practicing

The Browns' defensive line is getting a piece back. Veteran defensive tackle Maliek Collins has passed his physical after dealing with a quad issue and is cleared to begin practicing, per cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.

The timing works in Collins' favor. Cleveland opens the season at Jacksonville on September 13, which leaves two full weeks between his return to the practice field and the opener — enough runway for a nine-year veteran to ramp up without being rushed. It also matters for a defensive tackle room that has been thinning: the Browns lost Alex Wright to injured reserve over the weekend while signing Derek Barnett, making every healthy body up front count.

Collins signed with Cleveland this offseason to anchor the interior next to Dalvin Tomlinson, and the quad issue had kept him off the practice field during the stretch of camp when roster battles are decided. With final cuts due Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, getting him cleared gives the coaching staff a chance to evaluate their projected starter alongside the depth candidates fighting for the backup jobs behind him.

There was more positive medical news around the facility Monday, too. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger may return to practice as soon as today, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic, while running back Quinshon Judkins remains day to day with what coach Todd Monken called a nagging injury that is nothing major.