Browns wide receiver Miles Austin says he wants to return to the Browns in 2015 after his contract is up, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer (via Twitter). Austin enjoyed his year in Cleveland even though his season ended prematurely. The veteran suffered a lacerated kidney during the team’s Week 13 game in Buffalo which led to him being placed on IR.
The Browns signed Austin in May after they lost Josh Gordon to a (then) season-long suspension and neglected to take a wide receiver in the draft. General Manager Ray Farmer made it known that he would target affordable veteran help instead and the former Cowboy was a part of that plan as he was signed to a modest one-year deal with a $1.7MM base.
The 30-year-old came to the Browns with two Pro Bowl appearances on his resume but, as was the case in years past, the injury bug slowed him down significantly. Austin appeared in 12 games for the Browns in 2014, recording 47 receptions for 568 yards and two touchdowns.
Austin’s best years came in 2009 when he hauled in 81 passes for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns and in 2010 when he caught 69 passes for 1,041 yards and seven touchdowns. The New Jersey native will turn 31 in the spring.