Justin Gilbert Injury: Updates on Browns CB's Concussion and Return

Matt FitzgeraldNov 30, 2015

Cleveland Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert has not played since he suffered a concussion against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12. However, he is ready to return in Week 17.

Continue for updates.

Gilbert Active vs. Steelers

Sunday, Jan. 3

The Browns announced Gilbert was not among the team's inactives versus Pittsburgh.

Latest on Gilbert's Practice Status

Friday, Jan. 1

The Browns did not list Gilbert on the team's injury report all week.

Gilbert Quickly Turning into 1st-Round Bust for Browns

The 24-year-old's inauspicious beginning to his NFL career has now taken yet another unsavory turn.

Gilbert was a heavy investment and the inaugural draft pick for Browns general manager Ray Farmer at eighth overall in the 2014 NFL draft. Others have proved to be far superior to Gilbert, who's struggled to stay on the field not because of health issues, but because of his lackluster performance.

His inability to play cornerback has even led to consideration of a position change to receiver, as Gilbert has lined up there in practices, per 92.3 The Fan's Daryl Ruiter (h/t FoxSports.com). Although he has flashed potential as a kickoff-return man, opportunities to run kicks back are few and far between.

For someone with Gilbert's physical tools, upside and draft status, he ought to be further up the depth chart in his second season. A hip flexor slowed him down toward the end of training camp, and the hope is he can get back on track after a lost rookie year—and then some.

Offseason free-agent acquisition Tramon Williams starts on the outside, while Gilbert's draft classmate Pierre Desir has developed at a swifter pace than him and has the big frame (6'2", 206 lbs) to match up with bigger wideouts.

K'Waun Williams is firmly in place as the nickel cornerback—and even rookie sixth-round pick Charles Gaines has seen the field over Gilbert since being activated from injured reserve.