Roster

The Browns elevated linebacker Adrian Moten from the practice squad to the active roster Tuesday and signed cornerback Prince Miller.

The Browns activated defensive lineman Phillip Taylor from the PUP list on Friday after missing the first eight games of the season sidelined with a chest injury. Taylor suffered a torn pectoral muscle while lifting weights in the offseason and was placed on the PUP list in late August.

Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin posted more than one catch for the fourth time this season in Week 16 against the Broncos. He hauled in three grabs for 46 yards in the 34-12 loss. Benjamin was targeted five times in the defeat.

In addition to first-round pick Barkevious Mingo, the Browns added San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden, Notre Dame safety Jamoris Slaughter and East Central defensive end Armonty Bryant.

Despite entering the game having never attempted an NFL pass, Browns quarterback Thaddeus Lewis did a decent job in Week 17 against the Steelers. Playing in place of injured starter Brandon Weeden, Lewis passed for 204 yards, while completing 22 of 32 attempts in the game. He threw a 7-yard touchdown to Greg Little in the third quarter, and was intercepted once, in a 24-10 loss. Lewis ran the ball one time, for 3 yards.

In addition to first-round pick Barkevious Mingo, the Browns added San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden, Notre Dame safety Jamoris Slaughter and East Central defensive end Armonty Bryant.

The Eagles have traded running back Dion Lewis to the Browns for linebacker Emmanuel Acho.

The Browns have reportedly reached an agreement with pass rusher Paul Kruger, formerly of the Ravens. Kruger had a career-high 9.0 sacks last season while helping Baltimore to the Super Bowl. He'll likely continue to play as an outside linebacker.

The Jaguars cut the following players on Friday: DE Kendrick Adams, WR Mike Brown, TE Colin Cloherty, DE Ryan Davis, CB Antonio Dennard, S Courtney Greene, DT Corvey Irvin, DB Rod Issac, LB Joshua Jones, CB Trumaine McBride, RB Richard Murphy, QB Jordan Palmer, DE Odrick Ray (waived/injured), LB J.K. Schaffer, FB Will Ta’ufo’ou, CB Leigh Torrence and WR Demetrius Williams.

Browns receiver Jordan Norwood signed his exclusive-rights tender, making him a part of the team heading into training camp.

Quentin Groves has reached an agreement with the Browns, ESPN reports. Groves spent last season with the Cardinals, notching a career-high four sacks. He's reunited with defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who coached him in Arizona.

The Browns inked running back Chris Ogbonnaya to a two-year deal, keeping him with the team as a backup behind Trent Richardson.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that "the game comes outrageously easy" for second-year receiver Josh Gordon. The report says that if Gordon keeps his concentration and work ethic at NFL caliber, he could have a breakout season in the new "throw it downfield" offense.

Browns cornerback Sheldon Brown totaled four tackles (two solo) and one interception Week 12 vs. Pittsburgh. He now has two interceptions in 11 games.

The Browns signed free-agent kicker Shayne Graham on Monday, the team announced. Graham is expected to replace Phil Dawson, who signed with the 49ers back in March.

The Lions released defensive back Kevin Barnes Tuesday.

The Browns released linebacker Chris Gocong and safety Usama Young.

The Browns promoted Brad Smelley to the active roster on Monday and waived Ronnie Cameron.

The Browns continued tweaking their roster Saturday in preparation for the upcoming season, claiming linebacker Tank Carder and defensive lineman Ishmaa'ily Kitchen off waivers. Cleveland waived defensive lineman Brian Sanford and waived/injured defensive lineman Scott Paxson to clear space on the active roster.

The following players were cut by the Raiders Friday: LB Kaelin Burnett, K Eddy Carmona, WR Derek Carrier, WR Brandon Carswell, DE Hall Davis, TE Kyle Efaw, DL Dominique Hamilton, LB Chad Kilgore, WR Eddie McGee, RB Lonyae Miller, WR Roscoe Parrish, WR Travionte Session, LB Nathan Stupar and S Curtis Taylor.

The Browns placed seldom-used defensive lineman Brian Sanford on injured reserve Friday after he suffered a knee injury in Week 8. Sanford spent the first seven weeks of the season on the team's practice squad, but will now be sidelined for the rest of the year.

Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski said he expects new receiver David Nelson to be ready for the start of training camp. He's not working out at the team's mid-April minicamp. Nelson tore his ACL last September.

Knee - Questionable for start of training camp

The Cleveland Browns have re-signed tight end Greg Estandia and defensive back Ray Ventrone. Estandia was claimed off waivers in September from Jacksonville. The 6-foot-8 Estandia made four catches for 45 yards in four games last season. Ventrone played mostly on special teams after signing with the Browns as a free agent in September.

With the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Browns selected LSU outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo. Mingo's stock was on the rise heading into the draft but many pegged him as a Top 20 pick, not a Top 10 pick. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound beast totaled 23.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks over the last two years for the Tigers.

The Browns have claimed linebacker Ryan Rau off waivers from the Eagles.

The Browns continued tweaking their roster Saturday in preparation for the upcoming season, claiming linebacker Tank Carder and defensive lineman Ishmaa'ily Kitchen off waivers. Cleveland waived defensive lineman Brian Sanford and waived/injured defensive lineman Scott Paxson to clear space on the active roster.

Browns FB Owen Marecic suffered a head injury in Thursday's game versus the Steelers. He did not return to the game.

Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson had one of his least productive games of the season Sunday, in a Week 17 loss to the Steelers. Jackson had just five tackles -- three solo -- in the 24-10 loss.

In addition to first-round pick Barkevious Mingo, the Browns added San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden, Notre Dame safety Jamoris Slaughter and East Central defensive end Armonty Bryant.

Browns cornerback Joe Haden totaled three tackles (two solo), one interception, one forced fumble and two pass defenses Week 12 vs. Pittsburgh. Haden has three interceptions in six games.

Cleveland placed TE Alex Smith (shoulder) and LB Titus Brown (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, ending the season for the both players.

The Browns placed linebacker James-Michael Johnson on injured reserve Tuesday with a knee injury.

Browns linebacker Craig Robertson totaled five tackles (four solo), one sack and one fumble recovery Week 11 at Dallas. It was the first sack of his career.

Browns coach Rob Chudzinski told the official team website that Jabaal Sheard has "picked things up really well" in his move from defensive end to outside linebacker. "I know there was a number of 3-4 teams that looked at him when he was coming out of college, that were really interested in him," Chudzinski said. "I've been impressed with him from a mental standpoint and what he’s been able to bring out to the field."

The Browns and tight end Gary Barnidge have agreed to a contract, placing another former player under Rob Chudzinski in Cleveland. The two worked together in Carolina. According to the agent of Barnidge, the player took the Browns deal because of the money and the chance to be "the guy" at tight end, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Notable Browns players cut on Friday include: DT Ronnie Cameron, WR Josh Cooper, CB James Dockery, DE William Green, TE Dan Gronkowski, TE Evan Moore, DL Brian Schaefering, QB Seneca Wallace and WR Rod Windsor.

Browns defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin returned to the lineup Week 11 at Dallas after missing two consecutive games with a calf injury. He made an immediate impact, totaling six tackles (five solo) and one sack. It was his first sack since Week 4 and second of the season.

The Browns have signed quarterback Brian Hoyer, according to multiple reports.

Given the opportunity to be the featured back in Week 17 with Trent Richardson out, Browns running back Montario Hardesty fell on his face Sunday against the Steelers. Hardesty led the team in rushes with 14, but managed to total just 37 yards. He had a long run or 15 yards, and failed to bring in any receptions, in a 24-10 loss. Brandon Jackson surprisingly led the team in rushing off the bench, with 54 yards on eight carries.

The Browns have waived safety Eric Hagg.

NFL Network reports the Browns have signed defensive lineman Desmond Bryant to a five-year deal.

In a Q&A with readers, Cleveland Plain Dealer writer Mary Kay Cabot believes the Browns like tight end Jordan Cameron a lot and plan to throw to him plenty. He was targeted on a number of deep balls in their recent OTAs. Head coach Rob Chudzinski and offensive coordinator Norv Turner both have experience developing quality tight ends. "This is an offense that has featured tight ends and tight ends have always been a big part of it," Chudzinski said of Cameron two weeks ago. "He has the skill set that fits."

Head - Probable for start of training camp

The Browns added to their defensive free agency haul with the addition of former Falcons cornerback Chris Owens.

ESPN reports that the Browns might not take running back Trent Richardson off the field on third downs this season like they did at times during his rookie year. He still managed 51 catches for 367 yards and a touchdown last year, but those stats could rise if he sees more time in strictly passing situations.

The Browns placed defensive lineman Emmanuel Stephens on injured reserve Tuesday. Stephens sustained a neck injury in the first half of Week 8 against the Chargers.

The Browns have signed tight end Kellen Davis, formerly of the Bears.

Browns receiver Greg Little told the official team website that the new offense being installed in Cleveland should result in big numbers for him. "I've always been accustomed to run-after-the-catch, and this is definitely different because you’re already downfield, and that’s the good thing about it," Little said. "I've had maybe 50, 60 catches for 500 or 600 yards, and maybe 50 to 60 catches in this offense is 800 or 900.”

Browns defensive lineman Juqua Parker registered two tackles and assisted on a sack during Cleveland's 25-15 loss to Baltimore in Week 9. Parker, who is in his first season with the Browns, teamed with Jabaal Sheard on the team's only takedown of quarterback Joe Flacco.

Rumored for days leading up to the NFL Draft, the Browns finally pulled off a trade to acquire veteran wide receiver Davone Bess from the Dolphins. Shortly after picking San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden in the third round Friday night, Browns general manager Michael Lombardi said the Bess deal was done, pending the veteran passing a physical on Saturday. Lombardi said the team has also discussed signing Bess to a three-year contract extension. To get Bess, the Browns traded their fourth-round pick (No. 104) and fifth-round pick (No. 164) to the Dolphins for Miami's fourth-round pick (No. 111) and a seventh-rounder (No. 217). Bess spent five seasons with Miami, catching at least 50 passes each season. He had 61 receptions for 778 yards and one touchdown in 13 games last season. But he didn't fit into the Dolphins' long-term plans and became expendable when Miami acquired Mike Wallace and Brandon Gibson this offseason.

The Browns and Brandon Bogotay have agreed to a contract where he is, for now, the team's only kicker.

Notable players cut by the Ravens Friday include: RB Anthony Allen, S Omar Brown, LB Josh Bynes, LB Nigel Carr, WR Dorian Graham, NT Nicholas Jean-Baptiste, NT Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, DE Terrence Moore, QB Curtis Painter, WR Logan Payne, S Cyhl Quarles and OLB Chavis Williams.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur said DL Marcus Benard is out for the season after he sustained a hand injury in a motorcycle accident earlier this week. Auston English was signed to the active roster Wednesday to take his roster spot.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner spoke quite highly of quarterback Brandon Weeden recently, citing his composure, competitiveness and work ethic as big positives for him to play well in his second year. He also thinks playing as a rookie will ultimately be a good thing for him. "Brandon was in here with a very young group of guys," Turner said of Weeden's rookie year. "So when you have a lot of young guys and they're trying to feel their way together, it's hard. All those guys having a year together, including Brandon, will help him a great deal."

Right shoulder - Probable for start of training camp

The Ravens released tight end Davon Drew, wide receiver Devin Goda, cornerback Jordan Mabin, quarterback Chester Stewart and wide receiver Pat Williams Sunday.

The Browns have re-signed running back Brandon Jackson to a one-year deal according to multiple reports.

The Cleveland Browns have gained defensive lineman Ronnie Cameron on waivers from the Chicago Bears. Cleveland cut fullback Eddie Williams to add Cameron on Tuesday.

The Browns continued tweaking their roster Saturday in preparation for the upcoming season, claiming linebacker Tank Carder and defensive lineman Ishmaa'ily Kitchen off waivers. Cleveland waived defensive lineman Brian Sanford and waived/injured defensive lineman Scott Paxson to clear space on the active roster.

The Browns elevated linebacker Adrian Moten from the practice squad to the active roster Tuesday and signed cornerback Prince Miller.

NFL Films Senior Producer Greg Cosell said on the FantasyGuru.com podcast you can "take it to the bank" that Brandon Weeden will start for the Browns to begin the year. Weeden figures to have a jump on the starting job ahead of newcomer Jason Campbell.

Browns wide receiver Josh Cooper sustained a knee contusion Week 11 at Dallas. He had one catch for 6 yards before leaving the game. He was targeted twice.

Notable Browns players cut on Friday include: DT Ronnie Cameron, WR Josh Cooper, CB James Dockery, DE William Green, TE Dan Gronkowski, TE Evan Moore, DL Brian Schaefering, QB Seneca Wallace and WR Rod Windsor.

Browns rookie defensive back Tashaun Gipson intercepted the first pass of his career Sunday against the Chiefs. He picked off Brady Quinn in the third quarter, of a 30-7 win. He added two tackles in the game.

The Plain Dealer reports Browns safety T.J. Ward has a bone bruise in his knee and will miss the last two games of the season. He was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur said cornerback Buster Skrine sustained a concussion Week 11 at Dallas. Skrine drew the start Sunday in place of the injured Joe Haden (oblique). Skrine had eight tackles (six solo) and one pass defense before leaving the game.