Browns Tried To Claim RB Royce Freeman
Ahead of a key AFC matchup, the Browns have run into extensive trouble at running back. They attempted to aid a shorthanded group by putting in a waiver claim for Royce Freeman, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. But the Texans’ waiver priority prevented such a move.
In reuniting the Freeman-Phillip Lindsay tandem from Denver, Houston (1-8) stopped Cleveland (5-4) from bolstering a backfield missing not just its top two cogs but down backups as well. Going into Sunday’s game against the Patriots, the Browns have only D’Ernest Johnson on their active roster.
Nick Chubb tested positive for COVID-19 this week. So did fellow backs Demetric Felton and John Kelly. These three are part of a five-man Browns contingent on the team’s coronavirus list. Chubb is vaccinated, so he still has a chance to play Sunday. While he would need only to test negative twice in a two-day period, players who have tested positive during the week have almost unanimously not played in their respective team’s upcoming game.
Kareem Hunt remains on IR, and Kevin Stefanski said this will not be the week he returns from IR. Hunt could be down until December, per ESPN.com’s Kimberley Martin (on Twitter), adding the fifth-year running back likely will not be 100% again this season due to the knee and wrist injuries he was battling before the October calf issue sent him to IR. The Browns have not started Hunt’s 21-day IR-return clock.
The Browns now have Brian Hill and Dexter Williams on their practice squad. One of the two will be in line to serve as Johnson’s primary backup against New England. In Johnson’s lone other start, against the Broncos, he totaled 146 rushing yards on 22 carries.
As for Freeman, the Panthers gave him 21 totes this season before cutting him once Christian McCaffrey returned. Freeman has 77 rushing yards and no touchdowns; the former third-round pick has not scored a TD since 2019. Nevertheless, the Oregon alum has been a popular player on the wire. The Ravens and Raiders tried to claim Freeman in August, following his Broncos departure, and the Browns came up short during Freeman’s second waiver go-round.
Chiefs Designate RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire For Return
A suddenly much-needed reinforcement may be coming for the Chiefs soon. They designated Clyde Edwards-Helaire to return from IR on Wednesday.
The second-year running back has 21 days to be activated. Edwards-Helaire has been down since Week 5 due to an MCL sprain. In the time since, the Chiefs’ offense has encountered its most significant struggles of the Patrick Mahomes era.
While Edwards-Helaire has yet to solidly justify his first-round investment, he has been Kansas City’s starting running back since Week 1 of his rookie season. The LSU alum posted back-to-back 100-yard rushing games in his past two full contests this year and totaled 1,100 scrimmage yards in just 13 games last season. Fumbles have been an issue for CEH, but he represents another weapon the Chiefs can use as they attempt to navigate these unexpected offensive woes.
Edwards-Helaire will rejoin a backfield housing Darrel Williams, Jerick McKinnon and Derrick Gore. The latter has become a bigger part of Kansas City’s offense over the past two weeks.
Browns, G Joel Bitonio Agree On Extension
The Browns have now agreed to extensions with two guards in two days. Shortly after their Wyatt Teller deal, the Browns have come to terms with Joel Bitonio, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
It’s a three-year extension for the 30-year-old left guard, the team announced, keeping tying him to the Browns through 2025. It checks in at three years and $48MM, Rapoport adds (on Twitter). This makes Bitonio the Browns’ highest-paid offensive lineman again and matches Joe Thuney‘s guard-record $16MM AAV.
A second Bitonio extension emerged as a strong possibility earlier today, and the Browns went from having Teller in a contract year and Bitonio on a through-2022 deal to both signed long-term. These moves lock down arguably the NFL’s premier guard tandem, keeping key principals of Cleveland’s dominant run game in the fold. Both Bitonio and Teller are signed through 2025.
[RELATED: Browns Lock Up Teller Long-Term]
Since signing a five-year, $50MM pact in 2017, Bitonio saw the guard market transform. Ten guards entered Wednesday out-earning him, including Teller, who agreed to a four-year deal worth $56.8MM. Bitonio made three Pro Bowls while playing on that $10MM-per-year contract, and over the past two seasons, the Browns have deployed a top-tier offensive line. Pro Football Focus has Teller and Bitonio slotted as its Nos. 2 and 3 overall guards this season.
Cleveland’s historically talented Nick Chubb–Kareem Hunt backfield duo has the Browns second in rushing yards this season, and Chubb has strung together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. In the game both Pro Bowlers missed, ex-Alliance of American Football back D’Ernest Johnson totaled nearly 200 scrimmage yards in a win over the Broncos.
The last link to Cleveland’s Joe Thomas-fronted offensive lines, Bitonio is the longest-tenured player on the team. The Browns selected him during the Ray Farmer GM regime, acquiring him in the second round of the 2014 draft. Bitonio has been a starter since Week 1 of his rookie season and has made 104 starts during his career.
Displaying a tremendous commitment to their front, Cleveland now has four O-linemen — Bitonio, Teller, center J.C. Tretter and right tackle Jack Conklin — signed to veteran deals that run through at least 2022. Tretter and Conklin’s contracts go through next season. Jedrick Wills‘ rookie deal goes through 2023, with a fifth-year option included that could take it through 2024.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/9/21
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Alex Ellis
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Brian Hill, CB Nate Meadors, WR Isaiah Zuber
- Released: CB Tim Harris
Denver Broncos
- Signed: OT Casey Tucker
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Nick Eubanks, WR Travis Jonsen
Houston Texans
- Signed: DE Demone Harris
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: C Darryl Williams
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: C Evan Boehm
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DT T.Y. McGill
New England Patriots
- Released: CB Brian Poole
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DB Craig James
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: K Josh Lambo
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/9/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: OL Marcus Henry
- Signed: DT Zach Kerr
- Promoted: G Danny Isidora, LB Joe Walker
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: P Cam Nizialek, LB Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
- Signed to active roster: CB Chris Williamson
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Jake Kumerow
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: QB Josh Love
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): LB Clay Johnston
- Placed on IR: LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, S Brandon Wilson
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Nick Chubb, RB Demetric Felton
- Signed to active roster: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, DT Sheldon Day
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: K Greg Zuerlein
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: G Austin Schlottmann
- Placed on IR: G Graham Glasgow
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Netane Muti
- Waived: WR David Moore, TE Caleb Wilson
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Michael Ojemudia, LB Justin Strnad
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: S Jalen Elliott
- Designated for return: QB Tim Boyle
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): RB Royce Freeman
- Placed on IR: RB Scottie Phillips
Indianapolis Colts
- Designated for return: CB T.J. Carrie
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart
- Designated for return: OL Kyle Long
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: WR Jacob Harris
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: DE Kenny Willekes
New England Patriots
- Activated off PUP: QB Jarrett Stidham
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: LB Chase Hansen
New York Giants
- Waived: CB Sam Beal
New York Jets
- Placed on IR: TE Tyler Kroft, S Marcus Maye (story)
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Denzel Mims
- Signed (off Eagles practice squad): S Elijah Riley
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: DB Mac McCain
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: CB Breon Borders, CB Nate Brooks
Washington Football Team
- Signed: K Joey Slye
- Waived: K Chris Blewitt
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: OT Saahdiq Charles
Buccaneers To Sign WR Breshad Perriman
Breshad Perriman has already found his next gig. The veteran wideout has cleared waivers and will sign with the Buccaneers, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Perriman will initially join the Buccaneers practice squad but is expected to be promoted to the active roster sooner than later.
This will be Perriman’s second stint in Tampa Bay. The wideout spent the 2019 season with the Buccaneers, hauling in 36 receptions for 645 yards and six touchdowns. That performance earned him a one-year, $8MM deal ($6MM guaranteed) with the Jets. He had a solid season in New York during the 2020 campaign, finishing with 511 yards from scrimmage.
The 28-year-old caught on with the Lions this offseason, but he was cut by the team at the end of the preseason. He soon signed a one-year pact with the Bears, but he was released earlier this week after having not appeared in a single snap with Chicago.
The Buccaneers and Tom Brady have had success recruiting offensive weapons to Tampa Bay. While Perriman will likely see a secondary role on the offense, he could have an increased chance at reps with Antonio Brown sidelined.
Panthers Sign QB Matt Barkley
With Sam Darnold dealing with a shoulder injury, the Panthers have brought in some reinforcement at quarterback. The team has signed veteran Matt Barkley, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter).
This offseason, Barkley got $1.1MM on a one-year deal to be Ryan Tannehill‘s backup with the Titans. He didn’t end up making it to the regular season with his new squad, and he’s remained a free agent since early September. Now, with Darnold dealing with a shoulder injury and P.J. Walker as the only healthy QB on Carolina’s roster, Barkley will have another chance to show what he’s got.
The 31-year-old has made the rounds since being drafted by the Eagles in 2013. The former fourth-rounder out of USC has made stops with the Cardinals, Bears, 49ers, Bengals, and Bills, with two tours in Arizona and Buffalo.
Barkley has just seven starts to his credit in total with a 2-5 record in those games. For his career, he’s completed 58.8% of his throws with eleven touchdowns against 22 interceptions. His last start came in 2018, a solid showing and victory over the Jets. Over the past two years, he’s popped in for seven Bills games, lobbing four INTs with just one TD.
Broncos Sign LB Avery Williamson
Avery Williamson is heading back to Denver. The veteran linebacker is signing with the Broncos, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). It’s uncertain whether Williamson is joining the practice squad or going straight to the active roster.
After splitting the 2020 season between the Steelers and Jets, it took Williamson until November to sign with the Broncos practice squad. He was granted his release a week later, and he ended up joining the Titans active roster. He got into two games during his second stint in Tennessee, but he only saw time on 22 special teams snaps. He was ultimately cut by the Titans last week.
Williamson spent the first four seasons of his career in Tennessee. During that time, Williamson started 59 of his 63 games, collecting 376 tackles and 11.5 sacks. The Jets gave Williamson a nice contract in 2018, signing the former fifth-round pick for three years and $22.5MM. The linebacker missed the 2019 season after suffering a torn ACL, and he split the 2020 campaign between New York and Pittsburgh. He ultimately saw time in 15 games (10 starts) last season, collecting 111 tackles and one sack.
The Broncos were presumably seeking some additional linebacker depth after trading Von Miller at the trade deadline, and they’ve also got six linebackers sitting on IR. Now, they’ll have another chance to get Williamson up to speed on their defense.
Titans WR Josh Reynolds Granted Release
Another wideout is set to hit the waiver wire. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports (via Twitter) that the Titans have cut wideout Josh Reynolds. The player asked for (and was granted) his release.
Following a career year in 2020, Reynolds joined the Titans on a one-year deal in March. However, his signing came before the team traded for Julio Jones, and Reynolds was buried on the depth chart by the start of the season. The 26-year-old has only seen time in five games this season, hauling in 10 receptions for 90 yards. He only saw five offensive snaps in Week 8 before not playing in Week 9.
The 2017 fourth-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Rams. He finally emerged in 2020, hauling in 52 receptions for 618 yards and two touchdowns. There’s a good chance he’ll find an opportunity to resume his NFL career elsewhere.
While Reynolds was already buried on the depth chart, the Titans could conceivably look to promote Dez Fitzpatrick or Mason Kinsey from the practice squad.
Browns Sign OL Wyatt Teller To Four-Year Extension
Wyatt Teller got himself paid. The Browns signed their starting guard to a four-year extension, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter).
The four-year pact will keep Teller in Cleveland through the 2025 season. The deal is worth $56.8MM ($29MM guaranteed), making him one of the highest-paid offensive guards in the NFL (via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Twitter). Teller was originally set to hit free agency following this season.
Teller was a fifth-round pick by the Bills in 2018, but he was traded to the Browns after only one season in Buffalo. Since joining Cleveland, the offensive lineman has started 29 of his 35 appearances. That includes nine starts this season, with Teller appeared in 100 percent of his team’s offensive snaps. Pro Football Focus has been especially fond of his recent performance, grading him as one of the best guards (especially with run blocking) in the NFL (per Garafolo on Twitter).
GM Andrew Berry has been busy investing money and assets into his offensive line since he took on the role. He gave Jack Conklin a $42MM deal, and he selected Jedrick Wills Jr. with the 10th-overall pick in the 2020 draft. Now, Berry can rest easy knowing that he has another foundational piece under contract for the foreseeable future.