Cleveland Browns Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

Browns Place Anthony Walker On IR

September 17th, 2021 at 8:59am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns will place starting linebacker Anthony Walker on injured reserve with a hamstring strain (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Fortunately, it’s expected to be a short-term matter, which means that Walker should return in three weeks.

Walker started alongside Darius Leonard for three seasons with the Colts. Working as Indianapolis’ primary middle linebacker, he registered 321 tackles from 2018-20 and did not miss a game. He also posted 18 tackles for loss in that span, including 10 in 2018. Pro Football Focus did not grade Walker particularly well last season, slotting him near the bottom of its linebacker hierarchy.

Still, the Browns saw potential in the former fifth-round pick and moved quickly to sign him to a one-year, $3MM deal in March. He should resume his starting role on the other end of this IR stint and can return as soon as 10/10 against the Chargers.

Browns To Work Out Reuben Foster

September 16th, 2021 at 8:58am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns will audition Reuben Foster on Friday, according to a source who spoke with Kimberley A. Martin of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Foster probably won’t be signed straight away, but he could be a candidate for the roster after Sunday’s game against the Texans.

Foster has been making the rounds recently. He worked out for the Jaguars and Jets earlier this month but left both meetings without a deal.

The Browns rolled the dice on defensive tackle Malik McDowell earlier this year and the (very) early returns are promising. McDowell played on 45 of team’s 65 snaps against the Chiefs, en route to an 83.3 grade, the highest of any Cleveland defender. Despite all of his off-the-field issues, Foster could offer similar upside.

Foster has hardly been seen since he was released by the Niners three years ago. Washington shocked the world by claiming him off of waivers, but never saw the field in D.C. Foster suffered an ACL tear in 2019, further pushing his career off course. He also spent 2020 on IR. Between the suspensions and injuries, the 27-year-old has played just 16 total games as a pro.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/11/21

September 11th, 2021 at 4:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

With Week 1 games on tap for 28 teams Sunday, here is Saturday’s extensive batch of minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Placed on IR: LB Dennis Gardeck
Promoted: LB Kylie Fitts, CB Antonio Hamilton

Cleveland Browns

Promoted: LB Elijah Lee, K Chris Naggar

Denver Broncos

Promoted: RB Damarea Crockett, CB Nate Hairston

Detroit Lions

Promoted: T Will Holden, G Tommy Kraemer

Houston Texans

Promoted: TE Antony Auclair

Indianapolis Colts

Promoted: S Sean Davis, C Joey Hunt

Jacksonville Jaguars

Promoted: DB Brandon Rusnak, WR Devin Smith

Los Angeles Rams

Promoted: DB Tyler Hall, LB Justin Lawler

Miami Dolphins

Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Austin Jackson; Jackson is the first player to test positive for COVID-19 and be activated the same week, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets, with the second-year offensive lineman’s vaccinated status allowing him to return five days after landing on Miami’s coronavirus list

New Orleans Saints

Waived: T Caleb Benenoch

New York Giants

Promoted: WR C.J. Board

New York Jets

Placed on IR: S Sharrod Neasman
Promoted: S Adrian Colbert, LB Del’Shawn Phillips

San Francisco 49ers

Released from IR via injury settlement: T Shon Coleman

Seattle Seahawks

Promoted: LB Jon Rhattigan

Washington Football Team

Promoted: LB Jared Norris

QB Baker Mayfield, Browns Haven’t Had “Substantive Extension Talks”

September 8th, 2021 at 8:01pm CST by Ben Levine

The Browns’ season opener is only days away, but it doesn’t sound like the organization is any closer to extending Baker Mayfield. Cleveland’s front office and Mayfield’s reps still haven’t engaged in “substantive extension talks,” per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

This isn’t a huge surprise, as Cabot notes that “this has been the plan all along” and both sides are “cool” with the timing. On the flip side, it’s a bit surprising that the two sides haven’t at least swapped different variations of an extension. It was assumed that the two sides would be able to proceed on negotiations after Josh Allen inked his new deal with the Bills, but there haven’t been any developments in Cleveland since early August.

From Mayfield’s perspective, it makes some sense to wait on a new deal. After all, the former first-overall pick is already locked into his $18.85MM salary for 2022. If Mayfield takes another step this upcoming season, he could command a new contract that pays north of $40MM per season. His track record probably doesn’t warrant that demand at the moment.

The former No. 1 overall pick finished second in the 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year voting but regressed in 2019. After the Oklahoma product bounced back in 2020, the Browns may be willing to see if he can keep that momentum going to start this season before committing. For what it’s worth, Mayfield recently made it clear that he didn’t mind negotiating during the upcoming season, so one of the sides could end up blinking in the upcoming weeks.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/2/21

September 2nd, 2021 at 8:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s practice squad moves, with the list being updated throughout the day:

Baltimore Ravens

Signed: WR Devin Gray

Buffalo Bills

Signed: TE Kahale Warring

Carolina Panthers

Signed: WR Aaron Parker
Cut: CB Rashaan Melvin

Chicago Bears

Signed: WR Rodney Adams

Cincinnati Bengals

Signed: WR Trenton Irwin

Cleveland Browns

Signed: DB Tim Harris, G David Moore, K Chris Naggar, OL Jordan Steckler

Denver Broncos

Signed: DL Jonathan Harris

Detroit Lions

Signed: OLB Jessie Lemonier, QB Steven Montez, CB Parnell Motley, TE Jared Pinkney, TE Shane Zylstra
Cut: OLB Rashod Berry, NT Miles Brown, TE Alize Mack, RB Dedrick Mills

Green Bay Packers

Signed: LS Steven Wirtel
Cut: DT Willington Previlon

Jacksonville Jaguars

Signed: QB Kyle Lauletta, TE Matt Sokol

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed: RB B.J. Emmons, DE Gerri Green, T Devery Hamilton, CB Madre Harper, CB Robert Jackson, C Jimmy Morrissey, OL Jeremiah Poutasi, RB Trey Ragas, LB Max Richardson, DT Niles Scott, WR Dillon Stoner, WR D.J. Turner, DE Kendal Vickers

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed: CB Brandon Facyson

Los Angeles Rams

Signed: G Jared Hocker

Miami Dolphins

Signed: DB Tino Ellis, WR Brandon Powell, RB Jordan Scarlett, OL Kion Smith, DL Jason Strowbridge, OL Cameron Tom

Minnesota Vikings

Signed: WR Trishton Jackson

New York Giants

Signed: LB Trent Harris, QB Brian Lewerke, TE Chris Myarick, WR Dante Pettis, RB Dexter Williams
Cut: OL Jake Burton, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, OL Brett Heggie

New York Jets

RB Josh Adams, DL Ronald Blair, OL Grant Hermanns, CB Lamar Jackson, WR D.J. Montgomery, OL Jimmy Murray, LB Del’Shawn Phillips, DL Hamilcar Rashed, DL Tanzel Smart, WR Vyncint Smith, OL Isaiah Williams, TE Kenny Yeboah, DE Jabari Zuniga

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed: TE Nick Eubanks, WR KeeSean Johnson, DT Marvin Wilson
Cut: S Grayland Arnold

Seattle Seahawks

Signed: CB Michael Jackson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: S Andrew Adams, OLB Ladarius Hamilton, WR Jaydon Mickens, DB Troy Wagner

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/2/21

September 2nd, 2021 at 7:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves, with the list being updated throughout the day:

Arizona Cardinals

Released from IR with injury settlement: DL Jamell Garcia-Williams

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: LS Josh Harris
Claimed (from Browns): OL Colby Gossett

Carolina Panthers

Placed on IR: WR Aaron Parker

Cincinnati Bengals

Re-signed: WR Mike Thomas
Placed on IR: DE Khalid Kareem

Houston Texans

Placed on IR: S A.J. Moore

Indianapolis Colts

Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: C Ryan Kelly, WR Zach Pascal, QB Carson Wentz
Placed on IR: QB Sam Ehlinger (story), WR Dezmon Patmon
Released from IR with injury settlement: TE Noah Togiai

Las Vegas Raiders

Released from IR with injury settlement: LB Asmar Bial

Los Angeles Chargers

Released from IR with injury settlement: DT Chris Okoye, OL Tyree St. Louis

Los Angeles Rams

Placed on IR: OL Tremayne Anchrum, LB Obo Okoronkwo
Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Chris Garrett
Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Johnny Hekker

New England Patriots

Released from IR with injury settlement: OL Marcus Martin

New York Giants

Released from IR with injury settlement: WR Alex Bachman, DB Montre Hartage, TE Cole Hikutini

Philadelphia Eagles

Claimed: CB Andre Chachere (from Chargers)
Signed: DT Hassan Ridgeway
Placed on IR: OL Jack Driscoll, TE Tyree Jackson, CB Josiah Scott

San Francisco 49ers

Released from IR with injury settlement: LB Mychal Kendricks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: K Ryan Succop
Placed on IR: G John Molchon
Released from IR with injury settlement: RB Troymaine Pope

Tennessee Titans

Released from IR with injury settlement: RB Brian Hill

Washington Football Team

Released from IR with injury settlement: OT Rick Leonard

Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC North

September 1st, 2021 at 6:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bengals, Browns, Ravens and Steelers moves are noted below.

Here are Wednesday’s AFC North transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.

Baltimore Ravens

Signed to practice squad:

OT Adrian Ealy, NT Justin Ellis, LB Blake Gallagher, DB Anthony Levine, QB Trace McSorley, WR Jaylon Moore, TE Tony Poljan, DB Jordan Richards, OT Andre Smith, DE Chris Smith, P Johnny Townsend, K Jake Verity, WR Benjamin Victor

Cincinnati Bengals

Claimed:

DB Nick McCloud (from Bills), DE Wyatt Ray (from Titans)

Released:

WR Mike Thomas

Waived:

WR Trenton Irwin

Signed to practice squad:

LB Joe Bachie, CB Tony Brown, P Drue Chrisman, S Trayvon Henderson, LB Keandre Jones, TE Thaddeus Moss, RB Jacques Patrick, CB Winston Rose, TE Mason Schreck, DE Noah Spence, G Keaton Sutherland, WR Trent Taylor, DT Renell Wren, RB Pooka Williams, RB Trayveon Williams

Cleveland Browns

Signed:

DE Joe Jackson

Placed on IR:

LB Jacob Phillips

Signed to practice squad:

WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, DT Sheldon Day, TE Jordan Franks, DE Porter Gustin, RB John Kelly, LB Elijah Lee, S Jovante Moffatt, QB Nick Mullens (story), WR JoJo Natson, FB Johnny Stanton, OL Jordan Steckler, DE Curtis Weaver

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed to practice squad:

DL Daniel Archibong, WR Rico Bussey, FB Trey Edmunds, DB Mark Gilbert, OT Chaz Green, S Karl Joseph, OL John Leglue, LB Christian Miller, G Malcolm Pridgeon, TE Kevin Rader, RB Jaylen Samuels, WR Steven Sims, DB Donovan Stiner, LB Derrek Tuszka, WR Cody White

Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC South

September 1st, 2021 at 6:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These moves for the Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints are noted below.

Here are Wednesday’s NFC South transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.

Atlanta Falcons

Claimed:

G Colby Gossett (from Browns)

Signed to practice squad:

OL Willie Beavers, LB Quinton Bell, LB Emmanuel Ellerbee, RB D’Onta Foreman, WR Juwan Green, RB Caleb Huntley, S Dwayne Johnson, OL Sam Jones, OL Ryan Neuzil, LB George Obinna, TE John Raine, DL Chris Slayton, WR Austin Trammell, TE David Wells, CB Chris Williamson

Carolina Panthers

Release from IR:

RB Reggie Bonnafon

Signed to practice squad:

WR Omar Bayless, RB Spencer Brown, DL Frank Herron, CB Jalen Julius, WR Keith Kirkwood, CB Rashaan Melvin, OL Aaron Monteiro, QB James Morgan, S Kenny Robinson, WR C.J. Saunders, RB Rodney Smith, TE Stephen Sullivan, OL Sam Tecklenburg

New Orleans Saints

Released:

K Aldrick Rosas; Rosas is expected to re-sign later this week, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets

Claimed:

RB Adam Prentice (from Broncos)

Signed to practice squad:

FB Alex Armah, WR Kawaan Baker, OT Caleb Benenoch, DT Josiah Bronson, DT Albert Huggins, LB Wynton McManis, DB Bryan Mills, DB KeiVarae Russell, WR Kevin White, WR Easop Winston, TE Ethan Wolf

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed to practice squad:

S Andrew Adams, WR Cyril Grayson, QB Ryan Griffin, WR Travis Jonsen, TE Codey McElroy, WR Jaydon Mickens, CB Herb Miller, DL Benning Potoa’e, DL Kobe Smith, RB Darwin Thompson, OL Brandon Walton, TE Deon Yelder

Lions Claim K Austin Seibert

September 1st, 2021 at 11:43am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions have claimed kicker Austin Seibert from the Bengals, per the league’s official transactions wire. Meanwhile, they’ve also claimed wide receiver Khadarel Hodge from the Browns.

The Lions dropped Randy Bullock and Zane Gonzalez on Tuesday, leaving them with zero kickers at the end of the business day. Now, they’ve got Seibert, a 24 year-old (25 in November) leg with 21 career games to his credit.

Seibert enjoyed a solid 2019 with the Browns, banking 86.2% of his field goals including 9-of-12 from 40-49 yards out. The Browns dropped him after a bad showing in September, leading him to the Bengals. Seibert went 6-of-8 on FG tries in Cincinnati, but lost out on the kicking competition this year.

Browns Set Initial 53-Man Roster

August 31st, 2021 at 1:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Browns became the second team to move their roster down to the required 53-man max. They began paring their roster to the regular-season limit Monday. While waiver claims could change the equation, here are the cuts Cleveland made to reach 53 Tuesday:

Released:

LB Elijah Lee
OT Alex Taylor (released from IR via injury settlement)

Waived:

Placed on IR:

G Drew Forbes

Absent from these cuts are two defensive line reclamation projects. Both Takk McKinley and Malik McDowell have made the team. The latter’s journey back represents the latest step in a long road. McDowell saw an ATV accident during his first NFL offseason sidetrack his career. Prison time followed for a DUI arrest from 2019. The No. 35 overall pick in 2017, McDowell has never played a regular-season game. McKinley bounced around last year, being jettisoned from the Falcons, Bengals and 49ers. The former first-round pick later landed on the Raiders’ IR list but caught on with the Browns this year.

Hodge should be expected to stay in Cleveland via the practice squad, but the Browns have a deep receiver group. A Browns backup wideout in 2019 and ’20, Hodge has 15 catches for 256 yards as a member of the team. The Browns added Lee last year, using him in eight games as a backup and special-teamer. He is a vested veteran and will avoid waivers. All eight members of the Browns’ 2021 draft class made the roster.