healthy scratch in each of the past three games, Tillman has only one reception for 5 yards this season, and a total of three targets, all against the Ravens in Week 4.
“I’ve just kind of been resting up and watching film, learning from experience,” he said. “Just getting more comfortable in the system.”
With Peoples-Jones headed back home to Michigan, Tillman is eager to be a reliable target on Sunday against the Cardinals for whoever starts at quarterback. The Browns are deciding if Deshaun Watson’s right rotator cuff injury has healed enough, or if they’ll start P.J. Walker again.
“I look forward to any of them,” Tillman said.
Coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged that Tillman (6-3, 215) will be the beneficiary of Peoples-Jones’ departure.
“It does open a pathway to getting Ced more involved,” he said.
“I’ve seen it in games. I’ve seen it in practice, preseason games.
It’s the reason we liked the kid when he was coming out.
He’s big, physical, ball skills. So he’s been working very hard, have not to date been able to get him going.
And a lot of that becomes roster-based on who’s available. And you can only bring so many to the game. But he’s remained very diligent, works hard at it.”
Kareem Hunt sorry to see Peoples-Jones go
Hunt had grown close to Peoples-Jones and is disappointed he’s gone.
“That’s tough,” he said. “That was one of my favorite people on the team.
He’s a hard worker and he’s just a heck of a football player and I wish him the best.
I hope he goes out there in Detroit and balls.”
He said he appreciated Peoples-Jones’ energy.
“He’s just a good person and I like hanging out with him a lot,” Hunt said.
“He’s just one of those guys who do a lot, but it doesn’t show up on the stat sheet.”
Hunt now has something something more in common with Peoples-Jones: They’re both playing for their hometown team.
“It’s a good feeling being home,” Hunt said.
LTnowledged that the Browns are trying to determine if injuries to Jones (shoulder) and Newsome (groin) are longer term.
“We’ll see,” Stefanski said. “I think this week we’ll see over the next couple of days how they respond.”
If they will miss significant time, one or both could be candidates for injured reserve, which would mean at least a four-game absence.
Jones, who’s 27th in the NFL in pass-blocking this season according to Pro Football Focus, would be replaced by James Hudson III, who’s started seven games.
