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Shedeur Sanders Should Be Disappointed After Browns Waive Fan Favorite Receiver

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Aug 11, 2025 12:10 PM ET

Former Kent State receiver and Northeast Ohio product Luke Floriea’s journey to making the Cleveland Browns just hit a major roadblock.

The Browns waived Floriea, who had quickly become a fan favorite, with an injury designation on Monday. Floriea suffered a “serious” hamstring injury in last Friday’s victory over the Carolina Panthers, per head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Although Floriea only had one reception against Carolina, he certainly left quite the impression. Floriea reached out and snagged a Shedeur Sanders throw with one hand, saving the play and recording a 30-yard gain.

Shedeur Sanders buys time and finds Luke Floriea for the one-handed catch!

CLEvsCAR on @NFLNetwork
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— NFL (@NFL) August 9, 2025

However, this does not mean that Floriea has played his last down in Cleveland. In fact, Floriea will land on the Browns’ injured reserve list if he goes unclaimed on waivers in the coming days.

Cleveland also waived offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka. The Browns used the two open spots to sign cornerbacks Christian Holmes and Darius Rush.

The 5-foot-8, 179-pound Floriea totaled 44 catches, 699 yards, and seven touchdowns for a winless Kent State squad last year. Floriea turned heads against the ACC’s Pittsburgh Panthers in the Golden Flashes’ 2024 opener, tallying six catches, 104 yards, and a touchdown.

Even with the injury, we’ll see if another team takes a chance on Floriea, knowing that they won’t see him this coming weekend. Don’t be surprised, though, to see him at least begin the 2025 season on Cleveland’s injured reserve or practice squad.

Cleveland opens its regular season against Joe Burrow and the rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 7.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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