Chris Kirksey starting at inside linebacker is the most significant lineup move in the Cleveland Browns depth chart, which was released Sunday night.
The depth chart is unofficial, as coach Mike Pettine will point out. Coaches hate doing it at this time of year; they do it because they have to before a game. The Browns open the preseason Thursday against the Washington Redskins.
Kirksey is ahead of Craig Robertson and starting alongside Karlos Dansby at inside linebacker.
The entire depth chart looks this way, with starters first and backups following in order:
Offense
Quarterback: Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel, Thad Lewis / Connor Shaw
The depth chart has Lewis third, Shaw fourth, but Pettine said after Sunday's practice the two should more properly be bracketed as co-third team.
Running back: Isaiah Crowell, Terrance West, Shaun Draughn
Rookie Duke Johnson is bracketed as an injured player.
Fullback: Malcolm Johnson, Luke Lundy
Both are bracketed as injured, though.
Wide receiver: Andrew Hawkins and Brian Hartline as starters. Taylor Gabriel and Travis Benjamin as backups.
Dwayne Bowe is bracketed as injured. It will be interesting to watch if Hawkins or Hartline is the third/slot receiver. Terrelle Pryor also is bracketed as injured.
Tight end: Gary Barndige starts. Jim Dray, Rob Housler and EJ Bibbs are backups.
Barnidge showed his value in the scrimmage. He's a very underrated player. Housler is in a fight with Bibbs for the final tight end spot.
Offensive line: Left to right -- OT Joe Thomas, OG Joel Bitonio, C Alex Mack, OG John Greco, OT Mitchell Schwartz. Second team is Andrew McDonald, Vinston Painter, Ryan Seymour, Cam Erving, Michael Bowie
Erving remains behind Greco, which makes his opening the season as a starter a tough climb. The Browns have been very pleased about their line's work in this camp. They also have had many good things to say about McDonald and Bowie.
Defense
Defensive line: Randy Starks, Phil Taylor, Desmond Bryant as the starters. John Hughes, Danny Shelton and Armonty Bryant as backups.
It's mildly surprising to not see Taylor bracketed because he's coming back from injury. I would expect Shelton to start in the game, and Taylor to get limited time. The fact that Taylor is at nose competing with Shelton will make that position interesting to watch as camp continues. Rookie Xavier Cooper is listed as third team.
Outside linebackers: Paul Kruger, Scott Solomon as starters. Nate Orchard and Mike Reilly are the backups. Barkevious Mingo is bracketed as injured.
Reilly is an undrafted rookie from William & Mary who earned an invite to training camp based on a tryout at minicamp. Mingo's injury highlights depth concerns at this spot.
Inside linebackers: Kirksey and Dansby as staters, Tank Carder and Robertson as backups.
Kirksey is rewarded here for his continued improvement.
Cornerback: Joe Haden and Tramon Williams. K'Waun Williams and Justin Gilbert are the backups, with Pierre Desir bracketed as injured.
No surprise here. It would have been interesting to see where Desir fell if he were not injured.
Safeties: Tashaun Gipson and Donte Whitner, with Jordan Poyer and Ibraheim Campbell as backups.
No surprises here.
Among the specialists.
Travis Coons is the first-team placekicker.
Marlon Moore is the kickoff returner (Gilbert is listed third).
Benjamin is the punt returner.
Of course, Andy Lee will punt.
