The Browns have released some updates on their roster ahead of the week of preparation for the Baltimore Ravens in a key AFC North showdown.
The biggest news is that defensive back Cameron Mitchell is headed to injured reserve in a surprise announcement as he has a hamstring issue. The Northwestern product played well in his start against the Cardinals on Sunday. He graded out among the best of the whole defense and recorded three stop tackles in the slot role as he filled in for Greg Newsome who missed the game with his own injury. The hope is that Newsome will be ready for the game in Baltimore.
As we know from earlier today, the team promoted offensive tackle Geron Christian to the active roster parallel to the official announcement that Jedrick Wills was headed to the injured reserve while he nurses the banged-up knee.
Alongside that announcement, the Browns also signed wide receiver James Proche II who was active last week and averaged 11.5 yards per punt return. It remains to be seen if he will have reps at the receiver position but the return aspect he provided against the Cardinals was valuable enough to warrant a full-time active roster status. He will continue to wear No. 11.
The team also announced that they signed wide receiver Trinity Benson, safety Vincent Gray, and tackle Justin Murray to the practice squad and released tight end Devin Asiasi from the practice squad.
According to the team website, the following details about the players were released.
“Benson (6-0, 190) is officially a second-year player out of East Central. Originally signed by Denver as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Benson has played in nine games with two starts with the Lions. In 2021, he compiled 10 receptions for 103 yards in eight games.
Gray (6-2, 192) is officially in his first NFL season out of Michigan. Originally signed by New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Gray also spent the 2023 offseason with the Los Angeles Rams.
Murray (6-5, 315) officially enters his fifth season in the NFL out of Cincinnati. Originally signed by Denver as an undrafted free agent in 2016, Murray has appeared in 41 games with 20 starts between the Raiders (2018), Cardinals (2019-21), Bills (2022) and Titans (2023). He has appeared in four games with the Titans this season.”
The Cleveland Browns have placed their left tackle Jedrick Wills on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury that did not require surgery, but did damage his MCL, PCL and caused bone bruises. In a corresponding move, the team has promoted tackle Geron Christian to take the roster spot vacated by Wills.
In a “life comes at you fast moment”, Christian who only signed to the practice squad a week ago is now on the Browns active roster and is the team’s new swing tackle. With right tackle Jack Conklin out for the season and now Wills out until the holiday season, the Browns now have both backups in the starting lineup; James Hudson III is expected to take over at left tackle with rookie Dawand Jones already at right tackle.
If one of them were to go down, Christian is the next man up. The 6’5″ 320 pound Christian, a former third round pick of the now Washington Commanders, has appeared in 49 games, starting 16. His first two seasons were with Browns offensive line coach Bill Callahan, so that familiarity might prove helpful in getting Christian prepared in case of emergency.
The Browns had also signed Leroy Watson off of the San Francisco 49ers practice squad, but the promotion of Christian signals what that move really means. Watson is a former tight end who has converted to offensive tackle and is still leaning the position. He’s never played a regular season snap in the NFL. Short of an emergency or perhaps PAT/field goal, he’s not going into the game. His profile is similar to that of Tyrone Wheatley Jr., who himself was a former tight end turned tackle. When rosters needed to be cut down ahead of the season, the Browns flipped Wheatley to the New England Patriots in exchange for Pierre Strong Jr., a contributor at running back and on special teams.
This also means the Browns have an open spot on their practice squad. The organization will likely be trying to sign another offensive tackle there just to give them another option, someone else they can evaluate in practice.
With the NFL season is in full swing, there are plenty of Mississippi State players not only taking part in it but starring on the biggest stage.
Last season, Chris Jones and Willie Gay Jr. took home the Super Bowl trophy as the Kansas City Chiefs won it all for the second time in Jones’ career. The two won the title over two more former Bulldog greats in Fletcher Cox and Darius Slay and the four standouts will be fighting to get back to that same spot once again with their teams this year.
The Browns makes a slew of roster moves on Tuesday including a key defensive back headed to injured reserve.
Another seven players are currently on practice squad rosters with more potentially being signed soon. Let’s take a look at who to look out for when watching the big games this weekend.
This week, Cox and Slay got the better of Dak Prescott, Tyrus Wheat and the Cowboys despite Prescott’s season-high in yards for a second-straight week. Montez Sweat made his debut with the Chicago Bears after being traded last week. Forbes also saw increased playing time at cornerback for the Washington Commanders and was one of the top-rated corners in the NFL last week.
Let’s get a look at the stats from the first week of action.