Michael Woods II, Justin Hardee Sr. among 13 signed to Cleveland Browns practice squad

BEREA — The Browns were not awarded any players through waiver claims Wednesday. However, none of the players they waived as they whittled their roster down to the initial 53 was claimed by any other team.

That allowed the Browns to bring back 13 players they had previously cut onto their practice squad. Headlining that group were veteran defensive backs Justin Hardee Sr. and Tony Brown II, as well as Germain Ifedi, the former first-round draft pick who had spent time at left tackle during the preseason.

It also included promising third-year wide receiver Michael Woods II, who had been seen by some as a possibly to make the initial 53-man roster. Instead, he was edged out by rookie Jamari Thrash for the sixth wide receiver spot on that roster.

“Yeah, good to have a lot of these guys back," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday. "You know, that’s a tough day yesterday (on cutdown day). It can be emotional for a lot of guys, but just to have them back and on the field and we missed them for a day there, but good to have them back.”

The 13 players who signed with the Browns practice squad Wednesday:

• DT Jowon Briggs
• CB Tony Brown II
• WR Jaelon Darden
• S Christopher Edmonds
• CB Justin Hardee Jr.
• T Germain Ifedi
• T Sam Kamara
• T Roy Mbaeteka (International Player Pathway Program)
• WR James Proche II
• LB Winston Reid
• LS Rex Sunahara
• T Lorenzo Thompson
• WR Michael Woods II

Former special teams star Mike Ford Jr. to sign with practice squad

One name not on the initial 13 practice-squad signees was defensive back Mike Ford Jr. While he's expected to eventually be signed to the practice squad, the deal has not yet become official, a league source confirmed for the Beacon Journal.

Ford played for the Browns last season and was one of their best special teams players. He also filled in well at cornerback on multiple occasions during the season, including an interception during the Browns' Week 10 win at the Baltimore Ravens.

“You’ve heard me say this before, but I would love to keep everybody as a coach," Stefanski said. "I know that there’s roster constraints and considerations and that type of thing, so hated to see Mike leave, but love to see him coming back.”

The 29-year-old signed with the Houston Texans during free agency. However, he was waived by the Texans on Tuesday.

Charley Hughlett expected to be OK for regular season

There were eyebrows raised when Sunahara was added to the practice squad. He had spent the three preseason games handling all of the long-snapping duties in place of the veteran Charley Hughlett.

Hughlett was nursing an injury during the preseason, which is why Sunahara was originally signed during camp. Stefanski said Wednesday he was confident Hughlett would be snapping in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Michael Woods II, Justin Hardee Sr. among 13 signed to Cleveland Browns practice squad