Browns set to release preseason standout Austin Watkins Jr.

The Browns are parting ways with their preseason standout.

The Cleveland Browns will be forced to make tough decisions today as they cut their roster down to 53 players. The first of those has already come down the pipeline as the team is expected to release preseason standout wide receiver Austin Watkins Jr. (according to Brad Stainbrook of The OBR). Despite a quiet finale against the Kansas City Chiefs, Watkins Jr. was on track to have as good of a preseason as Victor Cruz did for the New York Giants years ago.

With Marquise Goodwin coming off of the non-football injury list, the wide receiver room got crowded again in Cleveland. And Watkins Jr. is the odd man out in a room where David Bell and Goodwin will now likely be locked into the 53-man roster.

Until the release is official, however, the Browns can still field calls for the services of Watkins Jr. Look out for some news that the third-year wide receiver could be traded before 4 PM today.

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