Cleveland Browns Officially Release 7-Year NFL Veteran

The Cleveland Browns have released defensive tackle Chris Williams from the practice squad as part of a series of roster adjustments announced on Tuesday.

The move comes alongside the signing of tackle Andrew Coker, punter Wes Pahl, and safety John Saunders to the practice squad, the release of tight end Devin Culp, and the placement of wide receiver Bub Means on the practice squad/injured list with a knee issue.

Williams, a 28-year-old from Brooklyn, New York, who played college football at Wagner, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020.

He spent his early career primarily on practice squads or in limited roles with the Colts before brief stints involving the Kansas City Chiefs and the Browns in 2023.

In August 2024, the Browns traded him, along with a seventh-round pick, to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a sixth-round selection.

With Chicago, Williams saw more regular-season action, appearing in 17 games in 2024 with 23 tackles and three sacks, followed by 14 games in 2025 with 14 tackles and one sack.

He also appeared in two postseason contests.

After signing a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons in March 2026, Williams was released during final roster cuts in late August.

He returned to Cleveland, signing with the Browns’ practice squad on September 1 before being released later that month.

The team re-signed him on October 6, and he was elevated from the practice squad for games in Weeks 5 and 6, logging defensive snaps against the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens.

Career totals entering the latest release stood at roughly 45 games played, 43 tackles, and four sacks across stops with the Colts, Bears, and Browns.

At 6-foot-2 and 298 pounds, Williams has functioned primarily as rotational interior defensive line depth rather than a full-time starter.

His release continues a pattern of frequent movement for the Wagner product, who has bounced between active rosters, practice squads, and multiple organizations over six seasons.

For the Browns, who have been active with practice-squad transactions throughout the season while managing injuries and depth, the decision frees a spot amid ongoing roster fluidity.

Williams becomes a free agent and is eligible to sign with another club’s practice squad or active roster, subject to standard NFL rules.