Browns Part Ways With RB Ahead of Broncos Matchup
The Cleveland Browns released running back John Kelly from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.
Kelly has been a familiar face in Cleveland. He appeared in five games with the Browns during the 2021 and 2022 seasons and was also with Cleveland during the preseason. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2018.
His most recent stint with the Browns started in late October when Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt were both dealing with injuries. Ford and Hunt are now relatively healthy and Pierre Strong Jr. has established himself as a third option
The Browns’ ground game has been trucking along with Pro Bowler Nick Chubb sidelined. Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 and recently had surgery to repair his ACL.
Cleveland ranks third in the NFL with 142.7 rushing yards per game, behind the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens.
The Browns could add a safety after Rodney McLeod’s injury. The Browns currently have an open spot on their practice squad and could be looking to add a safety after the season-ending injury to veteran Rodney McLeod. He was officially placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, November 21st.
McLeod has appeared in all 10 games this season with five starts. Recorded 23 tackles and a defense. He joined the Browns as a free agent last May.
It would be a significant loss for Cleveland, with cornerback Greg Newsome expressing how hard McLeod has worked as a leader of the unit.
“What this defense is and how resilient we want to be on the field starts with Rod. I mean, if we’re going to do this, I would say we need to do these specific things,”
Newsom said Monday, Nov. 20. “In this defense, we’re just leaning on Rodney McLeod. So it’s definitely not the same thing. I think defense is everything. He left his mark on this team and the defense.
Fortunately, the Browns still have two solid safeties in Juan Thornhill and Grant Delpit. Thornhill is currently receiving treatment for an ankle injury. Ronnie Hickman will likely see more minutes if Thornhill is unable to play against the Broncos.
The Browns have officially signed Joe Flacco. The Browns’ biggest move this week was the signing of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. The former Super Bowl MVP comes in and provides veteran leadership alongside Dorian Thompson-Robinson and PJ Walker.
Flacco has appeared in 183 games with 180 starts in stints with the Ravens (2008-18), Broncos (2019) and New York Jets (2020-22). Flacco has completed 3,881 of 6,299 career passes (61.6%) with 232 touchdowns and 147 interceptions. He has compiled a 99-81 (.550) record as a starter.
The Browns will roll with Thompson-Robinson as their starter against the Broncos, although Flacco could eventually slide into that role if the rookie struggles.
“Dorian will start and Joe’s role is to support this team,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday. “Coming in here, we were able to add a guy with a ton of experience. He’ll be great for that room. He’ll be great for this team.”
The Broncos have won four in a row and are a 1.5-point home favorite against the Browns.
