Browns sign linebacker Khaleke Hudson off the Saints' practice squad

The Cleveland Browns are signing one of the two New Orleans Saints practice squad players who were called up for Week 1’s game. Linebacker Khaleke Hudson is joining the Browns, as first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, having been with the Saints since April. New Orleans signed him as a free agent from the Washington Commanders. Hudson and the Browns will visit the Saints for a game at the Caesars Superdome on Nov. 17.

It’s a tough blow to the depth chart at linebacker, which could potentially be missing Willie Gay Jr. Gay was limited in practice with a back injury last week and exited the Week 1 matchup during the second quarter with an undisclosed ailment. Hudson totaled 19 snaps on special teams but logged just five on defense against the Carolina Panthers. Demario Davis, Pete Werner, D’Marco Jackson, Jaylan Ford, and Anfernee Orji remain on the 53-man roster.

If the Saints want another linebacker to fill out the practice squad in his place, they could bring back someone like Mike Rose or Andrew Dowell, both of whom were waived at roster cuts in August. But Monty Rice isn’t an option. He spent the back half of the 2023 season on the Saints’ practice squad but was signed by the Atlanta Falcons after New Orleans let him go last month.

On the other hand, the Saints could look to reinforce another position group. Orji played really well as a backup for Gay and made more plays than Hudson on special teams. They still have Isaiah Stalbird on the practice squad, with Nephi Sewell working his way back on the PUP list.

This could be an opportunity to re-sign cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles, who initially had an agreement with the Saints that fell apart as they built their practice squad two weeks ago. That reunion would make sense given Marshon Lattimore’s injury and the lack of any other cornerbacks on their practice squad.