Browns defensive end Desmond Bryant will miss the entire 2016 season after being placed on the reserve/non-football injury list Thursday.
Bryant would have been a starter had he not suffered a torn pectoral muscle while working out on his own earlier this month. He had surgery July 13, and the Browns expect him to make a full recovery.
"It’s very unfortunate that that happened with Des because I think he was on his way to having a great season," Browns coach Hue Jackson said Thursday. "He had a great offseason and obviously that happened away from here, so it’s tough."
Xavier Cooper, a third-round pick in last year's draft, is the presumptive favorite to replace Bryant in the starting lineup. Bryant led the Browns last season with a career-high six sacks.
The Browns signed undrafted rookie tight end David Reeves to fill the roster spot that opened when Bryant was placed on NFI. Reeves appeared in 53 games at Duke and compiled 47 receptions for 367 yards and seven touchdowns.