Browns Host Former UDFA Signing & Five Others for Free Agent Workout
By Harrison Reno,
5 hours agoAUGUST 21 - WORKOUTS— While the NFL's roster cutdown day is a week away, the Cleveland Browns are still evaluating potential free-agent signings.
KPRC2's Aaron Wilson first reported that the Browns hosted six players for free-agent visits. Those six players included running back Eno Benjamin, cornerback Trey Dean, safety Myles Jones, safety Tyreque Jones, defensive tackle Trenton Thompson, and cornerback Rachad Wildgoose.
Of the six, Thompson is potentially the most notable free agent. He is the former undrafted free-agent defensive tackle who signed with the Browns following his college career at the University of Georgia. Despite signing with the Browns as a UDFA, he never appeared for them in the preseason or regular season before being released in July of 2018.
Since then, the former Bulldogs defensive tackle has spent time in several different football leagues, including the Alliance of American Football League (AAF), Arena Football League, CFL, XFL, and most recently, the Indoor Football League.
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AUGUST 20 - SIGNINGS— The Cleveland Browns made a trio of roster moves as they prepare for their Saturday preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks.
As announced by the team , the Browns have signed linebacker Brandon Bouyer-Randle and offensive tackle Chim Okorafor. Sound familiar? It is because they’ve spent time with the Browns already in this training camp and have now been re-signed.
In addition to the two signings, the Browns waived former Seattle Seahawks undrafted free agent receiver Matt Landers.
AUGUST 19 - WARREN OUT— While the Cleveland Browns received some good news on their injuries in Saturday's 27-12 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, others were not as lucky.
Their AFC North rival, Pittsburgh Steelers, received the bad news that star running back Jaylen Warren’s hamstring injury that he suffered in their loss to the Buffalo Bills is expected to sideline him for “multiple weeks,” according to a report from NFL.com ’s Tom Pelissero.
While the report says that the former undrafted free agent is expected to be out for “multiple” weeks, Pelissero notes Pittsburgh is “hoping” that Warren could return ahead of their September 8 regular-season opener versus the Atlanta Falcons.
AUGUST 13 - HYPE SPEECH - After going viral earlier in the week with his charismatic rant in support of Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns backup quarterback Jameis Winston found himself back in the spotlight just days later.
However, this time, it wasn't because he used a children's folk song. Rather, it was his charisma that helped him deliver a fiery pre-game hype speech to his teammates ahead of their preseason opener versus the Green Bay Packers.
While the 30-year-old's decade-long NFL career hasn't panned out the way many expected when he was a first-round pick out of Florida State, his lighthearted personality has managed to capture the attention of his fans and teammates alike.
AUGUST 8 - KNICK KNACK- Over the course of his 10-year NFL career, Cleveland Browns backup quarterback Jameis Winston has been known to be a very entertaining interview. Winston’s humorous personality has gone viral several times on social media over the years, and he may have just had his first viral moment with the Browns.
When meeting with the media Thursday, Winston did his best to recount a children’s folk song when speaking about his teammate, Deshaun Watson.
"I think that's one of the things that a lot of people forget when you can go out and you can see practice. You can knick-knack, this that, paddy-whack, give a dog a bone," Winston said. "Deshaun Watson is going to turn it on. He always going to find a way to shine when the lights come on. Man, I just rhymed. Can I leave on that 'cause I know that one going to hit."
This bit of comedy was part of a serious answer Winston was giving, where he shared his confidence in Watson’s ability to lead the Browns to a Super Bowl.
AUGUST 7 - STEELERS QB REVEALED? - With the preseason set to begin for teams around the league heading into the weekend, teams are releasing their initial depth charts.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of those teams that have released their first depth chart for the upcoming season. While there is still plenty of time for it to change before Week 1, it didn't feature many surprises, including at quarterback, where many predicted throughout the offseason that Russell Wilson would be the listed starter.
Wilson's listing as the starter for the Cleveland Browns ' rival is despite having missed the first two weeks of training camp due to a calf injury. However, even with Justin Fields receiving more reps with the first-team offense than originally planned, he hasn't been able to unseat Wilson, at least yet.
AUGUST 6 - NO 'RUSH' — The Cleveland Browns will finally play in a football game this Sunday when they kick off their preseason against the Green Bay Packers . However, it wasn't until Tuesday that a decision was made on quarterback Deshaun Watson's status.
While speaking with the media, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski revealed that Watson would indeed sit out the team's preseason opener versus the Packers, as Jameis Winston will get the start instead. Yet, just because the former first-round pick won't play versus the Packers doesn't mean he won't see action later in the preseason.
Stefanski left the door open for Watson to possibly play versus the Minnesota Vikings or Seattle Seahawks.
AUGUST 5 - WALKTHROUGH ROOM — While the Cleveland Browns front office focused on improving their roster this offseason, renovations were also taking place inside their practice facility. The new improvements were finished up ahead of the start of training camp, which has now given the Browns a chance to show them off.
The team gave the media a tour of the renovated parts of the facility, including their innovative "walkthrough room." As it sounds, this meeting room reportedly features a pair of 25-yard screens that allow players to watch the film and line up where they would on the field.
Other new additions to the facility include a new weight room and player lounge.
AUGUST 5 - 4 TO 3 - On his first practice of training camp, Cleveland Browns receiver Jerry Jeudy didn't wait long to make his presence known.
After being sidelined with a leg injury at the start of camp, which saw him miss the first two weeks of practice, Jeudy returned on Sunday and soon after started catching passes from his new quarterback, Deshaun Watson.
As shared on social media by the Browns, Watson, who in his right is still overcoming an injury, found the former Denver Broncos first-round pick on a deep ball Sunday.
Fans and the team alike will hope that this highlight from practice is just a sign of things to come from Watson and one of his newest receivers. Jeudy joined the Browns this offseason in a trade from the Broncos, which saw Cleveland give up just a fifth and sixth-round pick.
It could very well become a low-cost, high-reward deal that the Browns' fans look back on fondly like they do currently with the Amari Cooper trade.
AUGUST 4 - 'FULL GO' - Despite trading for him this offseason, the Cleveland Browns have yet to see former Denver Broncos first-round receiver Jerry Jeudy take the field as a full participant. However, that is set to change Sunday, according to a report from the Orange and Brown Report's Noah Weiskopf.
After being sidelined with a leg injury since the start of camp, Jeudy will be a "full go" during Sunday's practice, according to Weiskopf.
"He’ll participate in positional drills, as well as 7-on-7’s and 11-on-11’s," Weiskopf wrote on Twitter.
It is certainly big news for the Browns' offense, which has already seen quarterback Deshaun Watson return from his shoulder injury while tight end David Njoku was held out to start camp.
Meanwhile, star receiver Amari Cooper has been a "full go" since the beginning of camp following his minicamp holdout. This holdout didn't extend into training camp, as he got his desired pay raise. But now, the Browns offense will get one step closer to being full strength.
AUGUST 3 - DIESCH SIGNS IN NE - Former Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Kellen Diesch has a new home in the northeast.
On Friday, the New England Patriots signed Diesch and safety A.J. Thomas to their 90-man training camp roster, releasing tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr. and running back Deshaun Fenwick to make room.
Diesch was claimed off waivers by the Browns after being cut by the Steelers in May. The former Arizona State Sun Devil spent two days on the Cleveland roster before being waived.
AUGUST 2 - TV DEAL— Since 2015, WEWS News 5 has been the exclusive home to coverage of the Cleveland Browns preseason games. And that isn't set to change anytime soon, as the two parties announced Thursday they've agreed to a contract extension.
“We look forward to continuing to collaborate with News 5 and providing Browns fans across the Cleveland market with compelling content, giving them exclusive access to our players, coaches, and the entire organization,” said Erica Muhleman, the Browns Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships about the extension.
“News 5 has been an outstanding programming partner, and we are looking forward to continuing to work together with them as our flagship television station this season and beyond.”
The television coverage from WEWS News 5 goes beyond just coverage of preseason games, which they will air all of this year for the Browns, but they also provide other exclusive coverage year-round, giving fans a more in-depth look at their team.
The Browns have just over a week until they kick off their preseason with their August 10 matchup with the Green Bay Packers . The Browns will host the Packers inside Cleveland Browns Stadium, where kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m.
AUGUST 2 - SIGNING— The Cleveland Browns are finishing up their first full week of training camp and have made two roster moves.
As first reported by the team’s official website, the Browns added second-year linebacker Caleb Johnson. Meanwhile, they placed linebacker Charlie Thomas III on the reserve/injured.
Johnson spent the offseason with the Browns after signing a futures contract with the team following his rookie season. He also spent time with the New York Jets , Pittsburgh Steelers , and Arizona Cardinals . However, despite being with three teams, he never made his NFL debut, as he spent time on the practice squads.
After spending the offseason with the Browns, Johnson was released in late July before now being re-signed.
AUGUST 1 - D'ONTA FOREMAN CARTED OFF - During a special-teams drill, Cleveland Browns running back D'Onta Forman took a shot that left him down on the field in agony. As doctors and trainers attended to Foreman, they deemed the injury was severe enough that he was immobilized on a backboard and carted off the field.
Onlookers stated that Foreman was moving his arms and hands reaching for his neck while being attended to by the Browns staff.
While the severity of the injury is not known at this time, being carted off the field is typically not a good sign.
Foreman has spent time with four teams in his six years in the league and signed a one-year, veteran minimum deal to join the Browns this season.
We will continue to update with more information regarding Foreman's injury as it becomes available.
AUGUST 1 - STEELERS BRING BACK VETERAN - While training camp is known as the time when teams cut down their rosters from 90 to 53 players, that doesn't stop them from continuing to add pieces in hopes they find a potential contributor in free agency.
The latest attempt at trying to acquire a potential contributor from the Pittsburgh Steelers was the signing of veteran outside linebacker Markus Golden. As first reported by the Steelers ' official team website, the 33-year-old edge rusher signed a one-year deal to return to Pittsburgh for a second straight season.
Last year, even while playing behind the likes of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, Golden Golden totaled 20 tackles, six for a loss, and four sacks.
With both Watt and Highsmith still on the roster, it is unlikely that Golden is being brought back for anything more than a potential depth role off the edge.
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AUGUST 1— STEELERS SIGNING - Just a day after rookie receiver Roman Wilson was carted off the field with an ankle injury that isn't believed to be serious, the Pittsburgh Steelers have made a move to replenish the depth in the meantime.
The Cleveland Browns ' AFC North rival signed free agent receiver Tarik Black on Wednesday, as the team announced via social media.
Black, a former undrafted free agent from Texas, spent time with three teams over his first three seasons. However, he has only seen the field in one game thus far in his career, that being in 2021 as a member of the New York Jets, where he recorded a reception for 10 yards.
Black spent the past two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens , yet never saw the field with the Browns rival before he was released in January.
AUGUST 1 - GARRETT - It is that time of year. Training camp is underway, and the start of the NFL regular season is in sight. This also means the hype and promotion of the latest Madden video game is ramping up.
In promotion of the upcoming release of Madden 25, EA Sports is releasing the official player ratings. They have been releasing overalls by position groups, which means the mystery of what Cleveland Browns star edge rusher Myles Garrett 's rating will be has been solved.
As announced on EA's website, Garrett earned a 98 overall. However, despite being the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he is only the second-best defensive end in the game. The only player above the Browns' star is Micah Parsons.
JULY 31- MADDEN - It is that time of year. Training camp is underway, and the start of the NFL regular season is in sight. This also means the hype and promotion of the latest Madden video game is ramping up.
In addition to promoting the upcoming release of Madden 25, EA Sports has been releasing player ratings for each position. One of the latest positions to be unveiled was running back, where Cleveland Browns star Nick Chubb was given a 96 overall rating, which makes him the second-highest at his position.
This may be a surprise to some as the 28-year-old ranks only behind the San Francisco 49ers ' and this year's Madden cover athlete Christian McCaffrey, despite coming off a gruesome knee injury last season.
JULY 31 - UNDERRATED? - One of the big debates this offseason was whether Cleveland Browns receiver Amari Cooper was “underrated.” Amid the uncertainty of his contract holdout, where the former first-round pick was waiting on the Browns to either give him a raise or extend his deal, many came to his support.
Those supporters included Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, who called Cooper the league’s most “underappreciated” receiver . And thanks to the unveiling of his Madden 25 rating, that claim may or may not be backed up.
According to EA Sports, Cooper is the 10th-best receiver in the league today. He will be a 90 overall in the upcoming Madden 25 video game. This rating puts him behind Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Davante Adams, Ja’Marr Chase, Stefon Diggs, and Brandon Aiyuk.
JULY 30 ANOTHER AMARI? It would be ... unusual.
But could the Cleveland Browns, who just got wideout Amari Cooper to end his holdout by throwing him a bone by fully guaranteeing the $20 million he's owed in 2024 plus a $5 million in incentives bump - re-do that deal all over again?
Browns GM Andrew Berry insists it is possible.
"Nothing that we’ve done would preclude us from extending him. That’s correct," said Berry. "I think everybody here understands what Amari has meant to the organization in our affinity for him. He’s an excellent player, outstanding human being. He’s a really good professional. He’s been a big part of our success last year, and we were glad we were able to resolve the situation.”
And maybe ... they'll re-resolve it with another new deal?
JUNE 30 SMART LAMAR Who's the greatest NFL player of all time? The GOAT?
Lamar Jackson - smartly - says it's not him.
His coach, John Harbaugh, recently touted the Ravens QB for the title. Which is also smart, in its way.
But Jackson knows that it's about more than MVPs - though the Browns rival has two of those.
""I'm not the GOAT, Tom Brady is the GOAT!'' Jackson said. "But I believe that is motivation. I appreciate that Harbaugh's comment.) I'm still on my way."
JULY 30 - BATMAN - As the Cleveland Browns work through their first full week of training camp, star running back Nick Chubb is still on the active/physically unable to perform list as he continues to recover from last season's gruesome knee injury.
While this may have surprised some after an offseason where Chubb went viral on social media multiple times with his freaky workout videos, Browns' general manager Andrew Berry explained the decision to have the 28-year-old watch from the sidelines to start camp.
"I mean, look, Nick, he's Batman, right," Berry said. "We are incredibly pleased with the work that he's put in, the progress that he's made. He still has a little ways to go, but we're really happy to see where he is as we enter camp and look forward to him to continue to improve the health of the knee."
It remains unclear whether Chubb will be ready to play in the Browns' Week 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys . However, for now, the Browns can take solace in knowing just how far he has come already.
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JULY 29 - INJURY - As the Dallas Cowboys head into their first full week of training camp, they received unfortunate news Sunday. NFL.com 's Tom Pelissero first reported that Cowboys edge rusher Sam Williams is "feared" to have torn his ACL during practice Sunday.
The news of his season-ending injury came after the third-year edge rusher, formerly of Ole Miss, was carted off the field Sunday, which Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said they "didn't like" what they saw when it occurred.
While Williams has yet to turn in a breakout season in his career, his loss is big. Following an offseason where the Cowboys lost multiple starting contributors, including veteran edge rushers Dante Fowler and Dorance Armstrong, the former second-round pick was expected to help fill that void.
However, with the 25-year-old expected to miss the season, the Cowboys must look elsewhere to make up for their losses to free agency this offseason.
JULY 28 NO DEAL? The Pittsburgh Steelers supposedly need to trade for another receiver to help George Pickens. Who disagrees with the idea of "needing'' the likes of Brandon Aiyuk or Davante Adams in trade?
That would be Pickens himself.
Pickens spoke about the rumors around his receiving corps. Need help?
“Nah, I think we’re good enough,” he said, via CBS Sports .
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