10:34am: The Browns have officially confirmed the addition of Draughn, announcing that wideout Miles Austin has been placed on injured reserve to accommodate the signing (Twitter link). Austin sustained a kidney injury during the team’s Week 13 game in Buffalo.
10:29am: As we wait for word on which quarterback will start for the Browns against the Colts this weekend, there’s some more minor news out of Cleveland to pass along. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Browns have signed running back Shaun Draughn to a one-year contract.
Draughn, who turns 27 on Sunday, played for the Chargers earlier this season when San Diego’s backfield was hit hard by injuries, earning 10 carries in an October game against the Jets. However, Draughn wasn’t particularly effective in his limited action, rushing for just 19 yards on those 10 attempts, and was cut by the team about a month ago. The former Chief and Raven has accumulated 73 career carries for 254 yards and two TDs, as well as 24 receptions for 158 yards.
The Browns cut one veteran running back last month, parting ways with offseason signee Ben Tate and opening the door for rookies Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West to carry the load in Cleveland. However, neither player had a good game on Sunday in Buffalo, with Crowell totaling just 29 yards on 17 carries, while West lost a key fumble in the second half that was returned for a touchdown. Draughn is unlikely to push for a featured role in Cleveland, but his presence could help provide some stability in a backfield that features multiple rookies, including third-string back Glenn Winston.
The Browns have a full 53-man roster, so for Draughn’s signing to become official, the team will have to make a corresponding move.