On Tuesday, the Browns placed about a fifth of their starting lineup on the
Injured Reserve
list. On Wednesday, there were some holes to fill.
The Browns made a large number of roster moves on Wednesday to plug the gaps
left in their starting line-up when they placed DE Courtney Brown, OL Chad Beasley, RB James Jackson, K Phil Dawson, and DB Lewis Sanders on the IR. The
team made the following moves:
- Promoted DL Felipe Claybrooks from the
practice squad
to the
active roster. Claybrooks started the season on the active roster, but was
released and re-signed to the team's practice squad about a month ago, shortly
after earning Davis' ire for a poor play on special teams.
- Promoted DB Ron Israel from the
practice squad
to the
active roster. Israel is a second-year player out of Notre Dame who had
brief stints with the Redskins and Vikings before coming to Cleveland. Israel
was briefly on the Browns practice squad earlier this season, and was signed
again about a week ago.
- Signed RB Nick Maddox off the Buffalo Bills practice squad to the
active roster. Maddox was originally signed by the Chargers as an
undrafted free agent from Florida State, released after training camp, and has
been sitting on the Bills practice squad since September. Maddox most likely
would develop as a third-down back in the Jamel White mode. SEE ALSO:
Nick Maddox
scouting report. There is a huge amount of information on Maddox available
via our partner sites for the Florida State Seminoles and San Diego Chargers.
- Signed DE/FB Josh Mallard to the
active roster. Mallard is a second-year player out of Georgia who spent a
year playing defensive line for the Indianapolis Colts. The Browns have
brought him onto the team to try to convert him into a fullback.
- Signed K Brett Conway to the
active roster. Conway was originally a third-round draft choice by the
Green Bay Packers, but injuries have forced him to become a nomadic
kicker-for-hire, who has been wandering through the NFL filling in for regular
kickers who have been injured. Conway's last full-time role was with the
Washington Redskins, where he did fairly well. Conway had an outstanding
career at Penn State, which motivated the Packers to select him with a
first-day pick.
- Finally landed P Derrick Frost onto the
practice squad.
Readers of BerniesInsiders.com may remember Frost's name, since the team was
interested in signing him as an undrafted free agent back prior to their
rookie camp in May. They tried again after he was released by the Eagles, but
he was snatched up by the Baltimore Ravens, who were then above the Brown for
waiver claims. Frost's claim to fame is his ability to kick-off, suggesting
that the Browns are likely more interested in him as a kick-off specialist
than as a punter.
- Signed DL Corey Jackson onto the
practice squad
for the third time. A 2003 version of Bill Duff, sans the professional
wrestling ambitions, Jackson is now on his third trial with the Browns.
Jackson is an interesting story, as he only played collegiate football his
senior year at Nevada, where he was on the basketball team, and didn't clearly
stand out. The Browns are obviously interested in his potential, as Jackson is
a tall (6'6") prospect and clearly a well-rounded athlete.
Expect more moves prior to the end of the season, as the Browns fill holes
and don't hesitate to put injured players on the shelf with their playoff hopes
essentially non-existent.
SEE ALSO:
Transactions listing.