Tag: John Kelly Jr

Browns elevate RB John Kelly Jr., K Riley Patterson for Wild Card showdown vs. Texans

The Browns are bringing up two from the practice squad against the Texans.

The Cleveland Browns elevate two players from the practice squad for their bout against the Houston Texans as running back John Kelly Jr. and kicker Riley Patterson will suit up.

With kicker Dustin Hopkins still nursing a hamstring injury suffered the last time the Browns and Texans squared off, Patterson will get the start at kicker. With this game being inside, the consequences are not as dire as they could be the rest of the way out if the Browns win. Patterson is 1-of-1 on kicks and six-of-seven on extra points this season with the Browns.

Kelly Jr. is getting the call up as Pierre Strong Jr. is questionable in this game with a back injury. The third-string running back, kick returner, and punt team gunner hurt his back in the Week 18 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Can Patterson and Kelly come through for the Browns against the Texans if and when they are called upon as they look to make their run at a Super Bowl?

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Browns swap out Kenyan Drake to bring back John Kelly Jr. to the practice squad

The Browns have made a couple of practice squad moves…

The Cleveland Browns continue to churn their practice squad. This time, they bring back a familiar face to the running back room by signing John Kelly Jr. to their reserve unit. To make room for Kelly, the Browns have parted ways with another practice squad running back, releasing Kenyan Drake.

Kelly Jr. has been a member of the Browns’ practice squad off and on for the last three seasons. He was on the training camp 90-man roster as well and was allowed to win the third running back job. He did not perform in the preseason as expected, leading to the decision to acquire Pierre Strong Jr. from the New England Patriots.

This move is relatively non-consequential as the addition of Kelly will not add or subtract any wins from the remainder of their schedule. Do not expect any gameday elevations for Kelly unless we see a significant injury to one of Jerome Ford, Kareem Hunt, or Strong.

The Browns have also waived cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. with an injury settlement.

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Browns bring in Kenyan Drake, Benny Snell, 4 others in for tryouts

The Browns had 6 in for tryouts on Friday.

The Cleveland Browns are now just over 24 hours away from their Week 8 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. However, due to injuries in the running back room, we have seen them add three ball carriers to their practice squad this week. One of those running backs was the familiar face of John Kelly Jr. He was one of six players in for a tryout today with the Browns, joined by other running backs Kenyan Drake and Benny Snell.

Kelly Jr. has been on the practice squad for the past two seasons and was with the team during training camp this summer as well. They also brought back Nate McCrary and Jordan Wilkins to the practice squad as well, two other players who were on the training camp roster.

Here is the full list of players, six in total, that the Browns had in for a tryout on Friday. Again, this is something they do weekly as players begin to exhaust their three call-ups from the practice squad, and as injuries always have to be compensated for.

Browns bring back RB John Kelly Jr. to the practice squad

A familiar face returns!

The Cleveland Browns have been busy attempting to figure out their running back room this week. With Jerome Ford likely sidelined for a week or two, and with Kareem Hunt still working through a thigh injury, Pierre Strong Jr. is the only healthy back on the roster. They have just added another familiar face to the practice squad, bringing back veteran John Kelly Jr.

This is the third running back the Browns have added to the practice squad this week, also adding Jordan Wilkins and Nate McCrary. All three running backs were on the roster this summer during training camp and the preseason. With the injuries in the room, expect either Kelly Jr. or Wilkins to receive a gameday elevation. If Hunt cannot go, they both may be elevated to the active roster.

No corresponding practice squad move has been made yet as one will likely come down the pipeline soon.

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WATCH: John Kelly Jr. finds the endzone on goalline run vs. Chiefs

John Kelly Jr. finds paydirt!

The first team offense of the Cleveland Browns found the endzone twice against the Kansas City Chiefs. First, it was a David Njoku catch from Deshaun Watson, and now running back John Kelly Jr. found the endzone on a short-yardage goalline run. That will likely be all we see from the first teamers (although Kelly will see the field plenty more in this one).

As the Browns look for their third running back who is most likely not on the roster, look for Kelly Jr. to get a healthy workload after Jordan Wilkins failed to capitalize on his start with two fumbled exchanges.

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5 players to watch in Friday’s preseason game vs Commanders

Which players have the biggest opportunities to prove themselves on Friday

The NFL preseason is full of opportunities for young players and veterans trying to battle for a roster spot with one of the 32 teams. There was some exciting play last Thursday when the Browns played the New York Jets with another opportunity on Friday as Cleveland hosts the Washington Commanders.

The team is dealing with injuries in the past week which will open opportunities to other players with three remaining preseason games. The defensive line has the most chances with Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas having surgery and missing several weeks.

There are five players that I am specifically watching this weekend to see if they can seize the opportunity in front of them.