Cleveland Browns Sign 11 Familiar Faces to Practice Squad

The Cleveland Browns set their initial 53-man roster ahead of the NFL regular-season opener on Sept. 13 in Jacksonville, and now the team has scoured the waiver wire and signed 11 players to the practice squad.

Rather than looking outside of the organization, the Browns retained 10 players who spent time in training camp and the preseason with the coaching staff and team. That means that the time leading up to Sunday’s cut-down deadline was excruciating for first-year head coach Todd Monken and his staff, so thankfully many players the coaches like were retained. There was also one outside addition with NFL experience.

D’Angelo Ross Heads Up Practice Squad

We though cornerback D’Angelo Ross would make it in our initial 53-man defensive roster projections, but he just missed the cut. Of course, those projections were done prior to the team claiming cornerback Mekhi Blackmon off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts, too. That transaction changed the picture for the cornerbacks, especially Ross. Cornerback Myles Bryant was also cut, and brough back to the practice squad.

In addition, safety Zion Washington rejoins the organization on the practice squad. It’s a defensive-heavy squad, as defensive end Logan Fano, defensive tackle Tyreak Sapp, defensive end Khordae Sydnor and linebacker Nathaniel Watson are also on the squad.

Sydnor was among the last of the cuts, and he showed an ability to wreak havoc in the final preseason game against the New England Patriots Thursday.

Fano’s brother, Spencer Fano, was one of the team’s first-round picks at No. 9 overall. So, those two brothers continue to live the dream as pros in the same city, albeit in much different standings within the organization.

On special teams, wide receiver Kole Wilson showed his chops in the return game, and he is another versatile athlete that the team seems to gravitate to. Wide receivers Malachi Corley and Tylan Wallace can fulfill multiple roles with the main squad, and Wilson fits that mold, too. Punter Wes Pahl is also on the team, should an injury befall Corey Bojorquez.

It’s a bit surprising to see offensive tackle KT Leveston retained. He started some games, and the team obviously has a new-look O-line. He has been a bit shaky, but I’ll defer to the professional talent evaluators, as they obviously see something my amateur eye does not.

Bub Means Added to the Squad