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The Browns stayed within the building to replace injured safety Morgan Burnett. Instead of signing a free agent from outside, GM John Dorsey and the Browns chose to promote safety J.T. Hassell from the practice squad on Wednesday.
Hassell is an undrafted rookie from Florida Tech who made his mark as a hard-hitting thumper in the preseason. He’s a converted collegiate linebacker, which gives him a similar skillset to the one Burnett brought as a downhill safety in Steve Wilks’ defense.
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Hassell has spent the entire season on the Browns’ practice squad. In addition to promoting Hassell, Cleveland signed safety A.J. Howard to the practice squad to replace him. Howard is in his second NFL season and has bounced around several teams, most recently the Philadelphia Eagles.