Browns vs Patriots: New DNPs, some injury improvements for Week 8

Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season could go a long way toward deciding whether the Cleveland Browns are buyers or sellers at the NFL trade deadline. There are multiple positions that could use attention on the Browns roster, but the team is also full of players set for free agency, including one that surprised us in ESPN’s Top 25 list.

Beating the New England Patriots is a much taller task than expected when the schedule was revealed. QB Drake Maye has been outstanding so far this season.

The first injury report of Week 8 created some concern for both teams on Wednesday. Thursday saw some changes for both teams (noted in bold below):

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

Patriots

Browns

OL Ethan Pocic (Illness) – Added to injury report on Thursday
S Rayshawn Jenkins (wrist, back) – Was limited on Wednesday, back injury added
DT Adin Huntington (concussion)

Jenkins having a setback with a new injury and Pocic’s illness will be obvious concerns to watch.

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

Patriots

WR Stefon Diggs (chest)
LB Elijah Ponder (knee) – DNP on Wednesday
S Craig Woodson (ankle) – DNP on Wednesday
OT Morgan Moses (not injury related — other)
S Kyle Dugger (knee) – Added to injury report on Thursday
DT Khyiris Tonga (knee)
LB Harold Landry III (ankle)

Dugger being added to the injury report on Thursday will make his status on Friday important to watch, but getting both Ponder and Woodson back on the field would be helpful for the New England defense.

Browns

TE David Njoku (knee)
WR Jerry Jeudy (knee) – DNP on Wednesday
OL Jack Conklin (rest) – Added on Thursday
CB Tyson Campbell (quad)

A lot of names, and important names, on the limited list, including Njoku, practicing after missing last week’s game.

FULL PARTICIPATION

Patriots

CB Christian Gonzalez (hamstring)
DT Christian Barmore (not injury related — other) – Was limited on Wednesday
CB Charles Woods (knee)
S Jaylinn Hawkins (hamstring)