Browns Sign LB Elijah Lee To Active Roster

That led to some speculation about how they would fill that spot, especially after posting a lengthy injury report.

But recently released linebacker, Elijah Lee, is the player to backfill Jackson’s place on the roster.

Cleveland just canceled Lee’s contract and added him to their roster spot earlier this week.

And it will not surprise many if Jackson ends up taking Lee’s spot on the PR after clearing waivers.

The Browns could have elevated Lee from the practice squad for game day.

But now the special teams and backup linebacker role he covered in the first four weeks is assured for Week 5.

Why Make This Roster Move? 

On the surface, the shuffling of Elijah Lee and Joe Jackson looks as simple as changing their minds.

But why would they change their minds?

Cleveland opened the door for Anthony Walker to return from the IR as they announced Lee’s release.

It was assumed to be a simple roster move to accommodate the addition of Walker.

Lee played about 25% of the defensive snaps over the past three weeks that Walker missed.

But he is a bigger contributor on special teams, contributing to all coverage and return teams.

That contribution might have simply made Lee more valuable than Jackson after the addition of Ifeadi Obenigbo.

But it is also possible Malcolm Smith‘s abdomen injury or Walker’s hamstring warrants more linebacker depth.

What It Means For Sunday 

Elijah Lee played in 8 games for Cleveland last season, mostly in special teams.

But he had a visible preseason for all the right reasons on defense, as well.

His 6 tackles aren’t much, but it already matches the total he put up in 2020.

And that was good enough to make him a rare re-signed defensive player in 2021.

Lee graded out as an average last year at a position regarded as the weakest on the Browns.

But his PFF scores have improved quite a bit in his limited role since Walker went down.

Always a solid tackler, PFF has not charged Lee with a missed tackle on special teams or defense.

And he is another veteran to provide support to the Browns’ young defense.