Cody Parkey Lands On Browns’ P-Squad
After bringing Cody Parkey in for a workout and a subsequent visit, the Browns are indeed keeping the veteran kicker around.
Parkey agreed to join Cleveland’s practice squad. He represents kicker insurance behind incumbent Austin Seibert, whom the Browns — under the previous John Dorsey regime — drafted in the fifth round last year.
This marks a return to Cleveland for Parkey, who kicked in 14 Browns games in 2016. He made 80% of his field goals that year. The Browns have used different kickers in each of the past six seasons, though Seibert looks likely to snap that streak. He will have Parkey, a 2014 Pro Bowler with the Eagles, representing continual competition, however.
Former Titans third-round wide receiver Taywan Taylor also landed on the Browns’ practice squad. Taylor, who posted 466 receiving yards in 2018, was with the Browns last year and in training camp this year.
Following their Tuesday addition of tackle Greg Senat to the practice-only crew, here is the Browns’ squad:
- T Brady Aiello
- S Elijah Benton
- WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
- G Michael Dunn
- QB Garrett Gilbert
- CB A.J. Green
- RB Dontrell Hilliard
- CB Robert Jackson
- RB Benny LeMay
- LB Montrel Meander
- S Jovante Moffatt
- K Cody Parkey
- OL Greg Senat
- FB Johnny Stanton
- WR Taywan Taylor
Browns Get Down To 53
The Browns became the second team after the Panthers to officially announce their initial 53-man roster, waiving 24 players to get down. Here’s everybody they cut, with a recap on some notables at the bottom:
- QB Kevin Davidson
- QB Garrett Gilbert
- RB Dontrell Hilliard
- RB Benny LeMay
- FB Johnny Stanton
- WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
- WR Damion Ratley
- WR Taywan Taylor
- T Brady Aiello
- T Alex Taylor (waived/injured)
- C Jon Toth
- G Michael Dunn
- G Willie Wright
- DE Robert McCray
- DE Chad Thomas
- DT Daniel Ekuale
- LB Solomon Ajayi
- LB Willie Harvey
- LB Montrel Meander
- CB A.J. Green
- CB Robert Jackson
- CB Donovan Olumba
- S Elijah Benton
- S Javonte Moffatt
One of the biggest names on this list is Thomas, who the Browns drafted 67th overall in 2018. He barely played as a rookie, but he started eight games and had four sacks last year. The Browns are loaded along the defensive line, so it would’ve been tough for him to find snaps. He’s a definite practice squad candidate assuming he doesn’t get claimed.
Taylor flashed some potential with the Titans and had 466 yards with Tennessee in 2018, but failed to make a dent after getting traded to Cleveland last year. Ratley is another receiver who got cut, and he started three games each of the past two years. The 2018 sixth-rounder from Texas A&M had 200 yards and a touchdown last season.
Gilbert spent last season as Baker Mayfield‘s backup after he lit it up in the ill-fated AAF, but he was made expendable by the offseason addition of Case Keenum. He should get another shot elsewhere or on the practice squad.
Browns Sign FB Johnny Stanton
On Wednesday morning, new Browns GM Andrew Berry shook up his front office. He also made a roster move that is less splashy on the surface, but notable in its own right.
[RELATED: Browns Part Ways With Eliot Wolf, Alonzo Highsmith]
The Browns announced the signing of fullback Johnny Stanton, a UNLV product who converted from the quarterback position. Last year, Stanton went to camp with the Vikings as a UDFA and spent some time on their practice squad.
The Browns did not use a fullback in their offense last year, but Kevin Stefanski had C.J. Ham on the field for a good number of snaps in 2019. Ham blocked for Dalvin Cook, who drove the Vikings to the playoffs with a career-high 1,654 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns. Stanton, or another fullback, could feature heavily in the Browns’ offense as they look to get the most out of their backfield talent.
Speaking of the Browns’ backfield, Kareem Hunt recently found himself in some off-the-field trouble following a traffic stop. The Browns can retain Hunt via the restricted free agent tender, but the incident could impact his standing with the club in light of his previous issues.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/28/20
49ers Work Out S Mike Tyson, Four Others
With the 49ers dealing with injuries throughout their roster, the team brought in several players for workouts today. Veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer reports (via Twitter) that the team worked out safeties Mike Tyson and Tray Matthews, cornerback Terrell Sinkfield, offensive tackle Tyler Jones, and fullback Johnny Stanton.
The 49ers are likely to be without Richard Sherman and Dee Ford for multiple games, so it’s understandable that the team is seeking some reinforcement in their secondary. Tyson is probably the most notable name of the bunch (for football reasons, of course). The 2017 sixth-rounder appeared in 10 games for Houston in 2018. He joined the Packers this past offseason, but he was cut before the end of the preseason.
Tray Matthews, 25, has been hunting for a gig since graduating from Auburn in 2017. Sinkfield has bounced between the NFL and CFL since going undrafted out of Northern Iowa in 2013. The 29-year-old has yet to appear in an NFL game, and he has experience playing cornerback and wide receiver.
49ers offensive lineman Weston Richburg was recently placed on the IR, so they team is clearly looking for some blocking prowess from their auditionees. Jones is a 24-year-old rookie out of North Carolina State, while Stanton was a former quarterback at Nebraska.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/10/19
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DL Javier Edwards
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: FB Johnny Stanton
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: OL Kofi Amichia
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Josh Smith
Vikings Work Out OLs Russell Bodine, Marcus Martin
The Vikings are eyeing some offensive line reinforcement. ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reports (via Twitter) that the team worked out offensive linemen Russell Bodine and Marcus Martin.
Bodine, 27, has generally played center throughout his career. The 2014 fourth-rounder spent the first four seasons of his career with the Bengals, starting all 64 of his appearances. He signed a two-year deal with the Bills during the 2018 offseason, and he proceeded to appear in 10 games (10 starts) for Buffalo. He was traded to the Patriots back in August, but he was released a week later.
Martin, a 2014 third-round pick, has bounced around the league a bit since his three-year stint with the 49ers. The 25-year-old has 26 career games (24 starts) under his belt, but he hasn’t seen the field since the 2016 campaign. The offensive guard signed with the Seahawks this past offseason, but he was released by the team at the end of the preseason.
The Vikings recently placed Brett Jones on the injured reserve, but the center had only played a limited role with the organization. The Vikings didn’t play this past weekend, but Josh Kline was forced out of the lineup for Week 11 as he recovered from a concussion.
The Vikings also worked out a pair of running backs in Johnny Stanton and Ryan Yurachek. Stanton had a previous stint with the organization, with the collegiate quarterback trying his luck at fullback. Yurachek spent this past preseason with the Cowboys.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/25/19
Today’s minor moves will be posted here:
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived from injured reserve: FB Johnny Stanton
The former UNLV quarterback signed with the Vikings last May as an undrafted free agent. He converted to fullback with Minnesota, and was placed on injured reserve during the preseason.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/18
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: FB Jalston Fowler, WR Julian Williams
- Waived: FB Luke McNitt, WR Taj Williams
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed WR Cobi Hamilton
- Waived: RB Tion Green
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: FB Kobe McCrary, G Kareem Are
- Placed on IR: DE Ade Aruna
- Waived/Injured: OL Cedrick Lang, FB Johnny Stanton, TE Josiah Price
New York Giants
- Signed: RB Jhurell Pressley
- Waived/Injured: LB Thurston Armbrister
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DT Jerel Worthy
- Waived/Injured: LB Shaheed Salmon
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DB Joshua Kalu
- Placed on IR: DB Kalan Reed
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/7/18
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Janarion Grant, DE Myles Humphrey
- Waived: FB Ricky Ortiz, LB Mason McKenrick
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: C Tejan Koroma
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Chad Beebe, CB Craig James, FB Johnny Stanton, LB Brett Taylor
- Waived: LS Nick Dooley, WR Armanti Foreman, DT Caushaud Lyons, FB Kamryn Pettway
New York Giants
- Waived: S Ryan Murphy, G Damien Mama, WR Canaan Severin, RB Terrell Watson, P Austin Rehkow
New York Jets
- Signed: K Taylor Bertolet
- Waived: CB Bryson Keeton
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: TE Paul Butler, FB Henry Poggi, RB Chris Warren
- Waived: RB Elijah Hood, DL Joby Saint Fleur, FB Nick Sharga
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OT Nick Callender, C Marcus Henry, S Tevon Mutcherson, WR Damore’ea Stringfellow, OT Avery Young
- Waived: LB Paul Dawson, LB Jason Hall, C Brad Lundblade, WR Ka’Raun White, WR Taj Williams
