Latest On Antonio Callaway
- Browns rookie receiver Antonio Callaway today pleaded not guilty to a charge of marijuana possession stemming from an August arrest, tweets Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. Callaway’s lawyer indicated they’ll fight the misdemeanor marijuana charge, but the case doesn’t figure to be resolved for awhile. The NFL, of course, could choose to suspend Callaway regardless of whether he faces legal consequences, but the league will likely let the case play out before taking any action. Unrelatedly, Browns head coach Hue Jackson said today that Callaway’s playing time could be dialed back, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Callway has played the third-most snaps among Cleveland wideouts, producing 10 receptions and 155 yards on 24 targets.
Browns Place CB Terrance Mitchell On IR
The Browns have placed cornerback Terrance Mitchell on injured rese
rve and promoted defensive back Jeremiah McKinnon from the practice squad, the club announced today.
Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson announced Sunday that Mitchell would miss time after suffering a broken wrist, but the Browns have now decided that Mitchell’s recovery timeline will necessitate an IR trip. Mitchell will be forced by league rule to miss eight games, but he could conceivably be activated later this season. A free agent signing earlier this year, Mitchell had two forced fumbles, one of which he recovered himself, and an interception while grading as the No. 72 corner among 110 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus.
With Mitchell sidelined, the Browns will now need to decide who starts opposite No. 1 cornerback Denzel Ward. On Cleveland’s latest depth chart, E.J. Gaines is listed as a starting outside corner, leaving T.J. Carrie — who joined Mitchell and Gaines as 2018 free agent additions — in the slot. Denzel Rice, Tavierre Thomas, and McKinnon could also be in line for additional snaps, especially if more injuries occur.
Browns’ Terrance Mitchell To Miss Time
Browns cornerback Terrance Mitchell will miss significant time after suffering a broken wrist, coach Hue Jackson announced. Jackson is optimistic that the starting defender could return at some point, but that’s all up in the air right now.
It’s a bad break for the Browns as Mitchell was playing well before the injury in Sunday’s game against the Raiders. Through three games and change, Mitchell had two forced fumbles, one of which he recovered himself, and an interception.
The good news is that the browns are better equipped to deal with a starting cornerback injury than most teams in the NFL. Without Mitchell, they can turn to free agent pickups T.J. Carrie and E.J. Gaines to provide support alongside No. 4 overall pick Denzel Ward.
Kay Cabot On Garrett, Taylor
Myles Garrett, last year’s number one overall pick, has gotten off to a great start in 2018. He has 4.5 sacks through four games, and has established himself as one of the best pass-rushers in the league at the age of 22. He’s been a genuine force, and has been a large part of Cleveland’s defensive resurgence. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com even thinks Garrett will be in the “conversation for NFL Defensive Player of the Year as long as he stays healthy.” Garrett had an injury plagued rookie season, but it looks like Sashi Brown and the old Browns front office clearly made the right choice by taking him first overall in 2017.
Kay Cabot also thinks the Browns would be wise to attempt to trade quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Taylor has been sent to the bench due to the strong play of Baker Mayfield, and the Browns no longer need him in the final year of his contract. It’s unclear if Taylor and his hefty contract have any actual trade value, but Kay Cabot thinks Cleveland should be calling up quarterback needy teams like the 49ers.
Cowboys, Packers Tried To Sign Brian Price
Recently, the Cowboys and Packers both tried to reunite with defensive tackle Brian Price, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. To keep him from being poached from their practice squad, the Browns quadrupled his salary, boosting his pay from $7,600 a week to $37,058 a week. 
Price missed the Cowboys’ final cut this year and subsequently hooked on with the Raiders. But, after the Raiders added interior defensive linemen Johnathan Hankins and Clinton McDonald, he was squeezed out. The Browns signed him to the taxi squad last Friday, and calls from two of his former teams – the Cowboys and Packers – soon followed.
The Browns are leaning on recent additions Carl Davis and Devaroe Lawrence as their reserve defensive tackles behind starters Larry Ogunjobi and Trevon Coley. Both have talent, but neither offers the pedigree of Price, who was on track to be a high draft pick in 2016 before he tossed an official to the ground in a fit of rage. The pay bump for Price indicates that he may not be far off from a promotion to Cleveland’s varsity squad.
NFL Workout Updates: 9/25/18
Here’s the latest from the workout circuit, all links going to NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted.
Arizona Cardinals
- LB Ufomba Kamalu, DE Ryan Russell, CB Linden Stephens, CB Ronald Zamort (link)
Atlanta Falcons
- LB B.J. Bello, LB Richie Brown, S Sharrod Neasman, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DE Jeremiah Valoaga (link)
Baltimore Ravens
- CB De’Vante Bausby, G Jermaine Eluemunor (visit), WR Janorian Grant (visit), CB Prince Charles Iworah, CB Kalan Reed (link)
Chicago Bears
- WR Reggie Davis, WR Cyril Grayson, WR Carlos Henderson (Twitter link via Sirius XM Radio’s Adam Caplan)
Cleveland Browns
- CB D.J. Killings, CB Peyton Thompson (Twitter link via Caplan)
Detroit Lions
- LB Zaire Anderson, TE Marcus Baugh, TE Jerome Cunningham, LS Ryan DiSalvo, K Kai Forbath, TE Temarrick Hemingway, P Jeff Locke, P Brad Nortman, LS Jeff Overbaugh, LS Taybor Pepper, K Cairo Santos, LB Brandon Spikes (link)
Houston Texans
- LB Kevin Minter, DT Chris Okoye, LB Hayes Pullard, LB John Timu (Twitter link via the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- WR Chad Hansen, RB Jeremy Langford, QB Paxton Lynch (via Caplan, on Twitter)
Los Angeles Chargers
- TE Jerell Adams, TE Vince Mayle, TE Wes Saxton (link)
New England Patriots
- DT Michael Bennett, DE Ryan Delaire, DE John Simon, LB Azeem Victor (Twitter links via Balzer and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport)
San Francisco 49ers
- WR Deontex Alexander, S Kelcie McCray, S Eddie Pleasant (link)
Seattle Seahawks
- C Dillon Day, T Gerhard de Beer, T Christian DiLauro, DT David Parry (link)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- T Christian DiLauro (link)
Tennessee Titans
- TE Donnie Ernsberger, WR Shay Fields, TE Temarrick Hemingway, WR Roger Lewis, WR Kalif Raymond (link)
NFL Workout Updates: 9/24/18
Today’s workout updates are below. There were some notable names, including veteran quarterback Landry Jones, who was released by the Steelers at final cuts.
Cleveland Browns
- DTs Josh Banks, Henry Mondeaux, Aziz Shittu; TEs Pharaoh Brown, Donnie Ernsberger; LBs Obum Gwacham, Calvin Munson, Jacob Pugh; DEs Anthony Lanier, Damontre Moore; CB Kalan Reed
Indianapolis Colts
- WR Reggie Davis; S Marwin Evans; CB D.J. Killings; DE Cameron Malveaux; OTs Rees Odhiambo, William Poehls, De’Ondre Wesley
New England Patriots
- QB Landry Jones; CB David Amerson; WR Dontrelle Inman
New York Jets
- OL Isaiah Battle, Austin Pasztor; LBs Gimel President, Aaron Wallace; WR Ka’Raun White
Looks like the Browns are searching for defensive help, working out a slew of players on that side of the ball. Jones working out for the Patriots is interesting, as he isn’t really young enough to be seen as a developmental project, and Brian Hoyer is entrenched as Tom Brady‘s backup.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/24/18
Here are today’ practice squad moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: S Dezmen Southward
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Pharaoh Brown
- Released: TE Pharoah McKever
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: OL Rees Odhiambo
Browns Name Baker Mayfield Starting QB
As expected, the Browns have named Baker Mayfield their starting quarterback. Browns coach Hue Jackson announced the news to his team this morning, days after Mayfield led the Browns to a come-from-behind victory over the Jets. 
“I informed the group this morning that we’re going to start Baker Mayfield and Tyrod will be the backup if healthy,” Jackson said (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com). “Baker understands there’s still a lot of work to do. … Now the other added pressure of being out there first is there. But I think he can handle it. He’s demonstrated that.”
This year’s No. 1 overall pick will become the 30th QB to start for the Browns since 1999 when they take on the Raiders this week. The decision was something of a no-brainer after Tyrod Taylor struggled early on against the Jets before being forced out with a brain injury. When Mayfield took over in the second quarter, he led the Browns on a thrilling comeback from a 14-0 deficit to a 21-17 victory on national television.
If Mayfield can lead the Browns to victory against the Raiders, he’ll give the Browns their first winning streak since 2014 and their best start since 2001.
More On Josh Gordon Trade
- Although the Browns were certainly upset about the hamstring injury that new Patriots receiver Josh Gordon suffered while filming a promotional video and the circumstances surrounding that video, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com says the real reason for Cleveland’s decision to ship Gordon to New England is that the Browns felt Gordon was still struggling to stay sober and that they had done all they could for him. Plus, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report notes that Gordon missed and/or was late to several team meetings (Twitter link). However, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sport tweets that Gordon has made a strong first impression with Patriots coaches and could make a real contribution for the team against the Lions tonight (although Gordon’s hamstring could prevent him from playing).