Browns sign WR Jaelon Darden to active roster, elevate Mike Ford Jr. and Germain Ifedi

CLEVELAND — A day before the season opener, the Browns are adding an addition weapon for the return game to their active roster.

Wide receiver Jaelon Darden was signed by the Browns to their active 53-man roster on Saturday. He fills the vacant spot opened up when wide receiver David Bell was waived on Thursday.

Bell was signed on Saturday to the practice squad. The Browns also elevated cornerback Mike Ford Jr. and offensive tackle Germain Ifedi

Darden was originally acquired by the Browns as a waiver claim on Dec. 7, 2022, after he was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay had originally selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 draft out of the University of North Texas.

Since coming to Cleveland, Darden has appeared in three games, two in the 2022 and one in the 2023 seasons. He has six punt returns in those games for a nine-yard average, and two kickoff returns for a 21-yard average.

Darden has appeared in 23 career games. He has registered 56 career punt returns for 526 yards (9.4 average) and 23 kickoffs for 468 yards (20.3 average).

Ford was added to the practice squad last week after being released by the Houston Texans. He played for the Browns a year ago, primarily as a special teams ace, but also multiple games at cornerback.

Ifedi, a former first-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks, provides the Browns with more depth at tackle with Jedrick Wills Jr. out and Jack Conklin questionable. Ifedi started at left tackle in the preseason finale at Seattle, while also working on the interior at guard during training camp.

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: Browns sign WR Jaelon Darden to active roster, elevate Mike Ford Jr. and Germain Ifedi