Johnny Manziel Has Suspension Lifted
The NFL informed clubs on the transaction wire that free agent quarterback Johnny Manziel‘s suspension has been lifted as scheduled, Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets. However, Manziel is still subject to potential discipline under the personal conduct policy stemming from an assault allegation from his ex-girlfriend earlier this year. 
Of course, Manziel’s suspension was never the biggest barrier to his NFL return. The former Browns quarterback has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons recently, leading Cleveland to cut him loose this past offseason and substance abuse appears to be a major problem for him. His off-the-field problems have prompted his father to say that he should be put in jail and led two agents to drop him in the last year.
His last agent, Drew Rosenhaus, claimed that there was NFL interest in Manziel as recently as March. However, teams will need to see that Manziel has his life in order before even considering him at this juncture.
With just two accrued seasons, Manziel is eligible for a practice squad exception. If he were to sign a p-squad deal, he could earn as little as $6,900 per week.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/5/16
Here are today’s minor moves.
- The Chargers signed cornerback Steve Williams and released nose tackle Ryan Carrethers, as Eric Williams of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Bears promoted fullback Paul Lasike from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, as Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets.
- Ravens tight end Daniel Brown has been promoted from the taxi squad to the active roster, as Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun tweets.
- The Browns signed offensive lineman Anthony Fabiano off of their practice squad and waived defensive lineman Gabe Wright, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com tweets.
Thomas: Browns Gutted "Middle Class" With Moves
The Browns lost more of their core talents this offseason as a new front office attempts another reboot. Joe Thomas didn’t necessarily agree with the decisions to let some of those players go and mentioned previous front office’s apathy toward keeping past free agents as a reason for where the team resides today.
Thomas, who continues to be the subject of trade rumors, and Joe Haden remain two of the only long-tenured Browns. The franchise also let Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz walk this spring. Cleveland possesses an NFL-most $49.3MM in cap space.
Here’s the latest from the Browns’ AFC North rivals.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/5/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Kenny Bell
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Rory Anderson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE E.J. Bibbs (Twitter link via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Luke Rhodes (Twitter link via Mich Chappell of CBS4)
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: TE Brian Leonhardt
- Cut: CB Tre Roberson (Twitter link via Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune)
New England Patriots
- Signed: G Chase Farris (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss)
- Cut: LB Quentin Gause
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: LB Tyrell Adams, LB Darnell Sankey (via Jimmy Durkin of the San Jose Mercury News)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Josh Keyes
Browns To Evaluate RG3's Shoulder
RG3‘s shoulder will be re-evaluated this week to gauge where he is in his recovery, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal tweets. The evaluation may determine whether surgery is needed for the Browns quarterback.
In the Browns’ season opener against the Eagles, Griffin completed 12 of 26 passes for 190 yards and added 37 rushing yards, but suffered a fractured coracoid bone in his left shoulder. He could technically return around the middle of the season, but early word is that he likely won’t see the field until 2017.
Browns Audition Bryan Stork
The Browns worked out free agent center Bryan Stork today, reports Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Cleveland is in dire straits at the center position, as former first-round pick Cameron Erving is banged up, while recent waiver claim Austin Reiter is done for the year.
[RELATED: Josh Gordon To Remain On Suspended List]
In late August, Stork was supposedly on the verge of being released by the Patriots. However, the Redskins got word that Stork was about to be cut and worked out a trade with the Patriots. Hours later, it was learned that Stork was thinking about retirement. The Redskins convinced Stork to continue playing football, but he wound up failing the physical. Ultimately, the trade was rescinded, the Redskins lost the backup center (or maybe even starting center) they desperately needed, and the Patriots lost out on getting a conditional seventh-round pick.
Stork, 26 in November, emerged as the Patriots’ starting center just four weeks into his rookie season in 2014. In 2015, Stork suffered a concussion which limited him to just eight games.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Browns Cut Don Jones
- The Browns announced that they have promoted tight end Connor Hamlett from the practice squad while waiving safety Don Jones. Jones had been a key special teams cog for Cleveland, but he hadn’t received a single defensive snap thus far.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/4/16
Here are today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: P Michael Palardy (Twitter link via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com)
- Cut: LB Davis Tull
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Corey Washington
- Cut: WR Matt Hazel
Chicago Bears
- Signed: RB Raheem Mostert (Twitter link via Brett Tessler)
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Mike Liedtke (Twitter link via Tessler)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: S Lee Hightower (Twitter link via Mike Chappell of FOX59)
New York Giants
- Signed: QB Logan Thomas
- Cut: LB Deontae Skinner
New York Jets
- Signed: S Ronald Martin
- Cut: FB Julian Howsare
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: DE James Cowser
- Cut: DL Demetrius Cherry, LB Darnell Sankey (Twitter link via Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: T Brett Boyko, LB Deon King, WR Kevin Norwood
- Cut: TE Austin Traylor
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Sterling Bailey
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: RB Russell Hansbrough (Twitter link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times)
- Cut: WR Jonathan Krause (Twitter link via Auman)
Lions Claim Armonty Bryant
The Lions announced that they have claimed Armonty Bryant off waivers from the Browns. Cleveland waived the defensive end earlier this week. 
Bryant, 26, is slated to return from suspension this week. The Browns gave everyone in the football world a mild surprise by waiving the defensive lineman just before he was eligible to play. Coach Hue Jackson has spoken at length about prioritizing character and it’s possible that Bryant’s off-the-field indiscretions led to his release.
Bryant was arrested in December 2015 when he was found with Adderall but without a prescription. To make room for Bryant, Detroit placed fellow defensive lineman Wallace Gilberry on injured reserve.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Josh Gordon To Remain On Suspended List
As was expected, Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon will remain on the reserve/suspended list per the commissioner’s orders until further notice, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Last week, Gordon decided to enter rehab, and will presumably remain suspended until he completes his recovery, if not longer.
[RELATED: Center Austin Reiter Done For The Year]
Gordon decided to go to rehab following a “slip up,” Rapoport reported yesterday, and sources told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that Gordon is dealing with an alcohol addiction. Some of Gordon’s past suspensions have been related to alcohol, and the pass-catcher also has a DUI on his rap sheet, so he decided entering rehab was the “extra step” he needed to get well, per Cabot.
The Browns have indicated that they intend to part ways with Gordon given his most recent transgression, and had in fact been trying to trade him as recently as last week. No other clubs will likely express interest given that Gordon is now unable to return to the field for some time.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.