Malik McDowell
IL/DT FA
Tue 3/15/22 9:54 AM

The Browns will not tender McDowell as an exclusive-rights free agent because of an arrest in January, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
EDGE Analysis
McDowell was arrested on three charges in Florida, which triggered Cleveland's decision to move on from the 25-year-old defensive tackle. The Browns began to revamp the interior of their defensive line when they agreed to terms with Taven Bryan. McDowell and Malik Jackson served as the starting defensive tackles in 2021, but neither is expected to return this coming season.

Malik McDowell
IL/DT FA
Tue 1/18/22 11:20 AM

McDowell was arrested Monday in Deerfield Beach, Florida, on charges of public exposure, resisting arrest with violence and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, Dan Labbe of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Browns acknowledged in a statement that they are aware of McDowell's arrest and are issuing no further comment at this time. A 2017 second-round pick of the Seahawks, McDowell didn't make his NFL debut until this season after he was involved in a serious ATV accident during his rookie year, and then was sentenced to 11 months of jail time in November 2019 following a series of crimes. After being released from jail, he resumed his career in May and signed with the Browns, defying the odds to not only make the team but also capturing a role in the defensive-line rotation. He finished his first NFL season with 33 tackles and three sacks in 15 games, but his latest off-field incident means that the Browns likely won't be re-signing the exclusive rights free agent this offseason.

Malik McDowell
IL/DT FA
Mon 12/27/21 4:15 PM

McDowell (illness) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.
EDGE Analysis
McDowell sat out the past two games after testing positive for the virus but is now back for the Browns. The 25-year-old has 30 total tackles and three sacks in 13 games for Cleveland this season.

Malik McDowell
IL/DT FA
Mon 12/20/21 1:46 PM

McDowell wasn't reinstated from the reserve/COVID-19 list and won't be available for Monday's game against the Raiders, Dan Labbe of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
EDGE Analysis
McDowell will miss his first game of the season after he was placed on the list Wednesday following a positive COVID-19 test, according to Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal. Even with the NFL pushing back Cleveland's Week 15 game an extra two days in addition to relaxing the return-to-play protocols for vaccinated individuals who test positive for COVID-19, McDowell and several other key Browns players weren't able to clear the necessary protocols prior to Monday's 5 p.m. ET kickoff.

Malik McDowell
IL/DT FA
Wed 12/15/21 11:28 AM

McDowell was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Browns are in the midst of a COVID-19 outbreak, and McDowell was one of several players who were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday. If he's unable to play Saturday against the Raiders, Tommy Togiai could take on a starting role for Cleveland.

Malik McDowell
IL/DT FA
Thu 9/9/21 12:54 AM

McDowell (ribs) isn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
EDGE Analysis
McDowell was nursing a rib injury in camp but is back at practice with no current issues. He should fill a rotational role at defensive tackle for the Browns.

Malik McDowell
IL/DT FA
Thu 8/12/21 1:16 AM

McDowell is managing a rib injury, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
EDGE Analysis
McDowell exited Sunday's practice with what was originally labeled an oblique issue, but it's now been reclassified as a rib injury. The severity of the injury is unclear, leaving the 25-year-old's availability for Saturday's preseason opener in Jacksonville up in the air.

Malik McDowell
IL/DT FA
Mon 8/9/21 11:57 PM

McDowell suffered an oblique injury Sunday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
EDGE Analysis
McDowell walked to the locker room under his own power during a scrimmage Sunday, although the severity of the injury isn't yet known. The 2017 second-rounder still hasn't played a snap in the NFL and is competing for a spot on Cleveland's 53-man roster after he signed with the team in early May.

Malik McDowell
IL/DT FA
Wed 5/5/21 12:16 AM3 Comments

McDowell signed a contract with the Browns on Monday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
McDowell was selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft but has yet to play a snap in the NFL after suffering a concussion due to an ATV accident prior to his rookie season. He gained attention from some teams during the 2020 season but never received any official offers. However, after being medically cleared by several doctors in March, the Browns feel confident enough in giving the 24-year-old defensive tackle another opportunity in the league.

Malik McDowell
IL/DT FA
Fri 3/19/21 9:02 PM

McDowell has been medically cleared by several doctors and is pursuing an NFL career, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.
EDGE Analysis
McDowell was selected by Seattle in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but he suffered a concussion during an ATV accident later that year and never made his NFL debut. The 24-year-old has visited with the Cowboys and Dolphins since the start of last season, but he has yet to secure a contract. McDowell was an All-Big Ten selection during his time at Michigan State, most notably notching 4.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2015.