Cleveland Browns Terminate RB Contract in Sudden Move

The Cleveland Browns released running back Eric Gray from the practice squad on Tuesday, ending a three-week stay that never produced a regular-season appearance.

The move was part of a broader roster shuffle announced by the team.

Cleveland also released punter Wes Pahl and tackle Xavier Truss from the practice squad, signed wide receiver James Proche II and defensive tackle Chris Williams, and designated quarterback Dillon Gabriel and defensive tackle Kalia Davis as eligible to return to practice.

Proche, a sixth-round pick of Baltimore in 2020, is in his seventh NFL season and has previously played for the Browns. Williams spent time on Cleveland’s practice squad in 2023 and earlier this season.

Gray, 26, joined the Browns on Sept. 15, the same day the club placed running back Dylan Sampson on injured reserve with a knee injury and promoted Jaleel McLaughlin from the practice squad to the active roster.

He arrived in Cleveland as a free agent after the New York Giants waived him on Aug. 30.

The Giants had selected Gray in the fifth round, 172nd overall, of the 2023 draft out of Oklahoma.

In three seasons in New York, he appeared in 34 games without a start, rushing 31 times for 79 yards and catching 16 passes for 104 yards.

His clearest NFL role was on special teams: 27 kickoff returns for 653 yards, including 21 returns for 554 yards in 2024. A torn meniscus limited him to four games in 2025, and he did not record an offensive touch that season.

Gray’s college production was considerably louder. After two seasons at Tennessee, he transferred to Oklahoma and in 2022 carried 213 times for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors.

Listed at 5-foot-10 and 211 pounds, he was drafted as a change-of-pace back with return value, but he never settled into a consistent offensive role in the league.

His release comes with the Browns at 3-1 and alone in first place in the AFC North. Cleveland travels to MetLife Stadium on Sunday to face the Jets in Week 5.

With Sampson still on injured reserve, the club has leaned on its remaining backfield and on McLaughlin’s elevation rather than calling Gray up. Practice-squad spots are fluid in October, and Gray’s departure clears room as the Browns add experienced depth at receiver and defensive tackle ahead of the Jets game.

Gray is now a free agent and eligible to sign with another club’s practice squad or active roster.