Eagles worked out six players ahead of Week 3 matchup vs. Buccaneers

The Philadelphia #Eagles hosted six players for workouts ahead of Week 3 matchup vs. Buccaneers

The Eagles are always looking to add talent to the roster and the team worked out six players ahead of Monday night’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Philadelphia hosted veteran cornerback William Jackson III along with tight end E.J. Jenkins, running back John Kelly, running back Bryant Koback, linebacker Isaiah Moore and linebacker Elerson Smith.

Three running backs the Detroit Lions could sign after cut day

Three running backs the Detroit Lions could sign after cut day from Lions Wire’s Russell Brown

One of the more surprising developments from the Detroit Lions roster after cut-day in the NFL is how lopsided their roster is. There’s a plethora of names on the defense but the offense doesn’t have enough players for a second team.

Something to note for Lions fans is that it’s not uncommon for a team to do this. Most of the time, it’s because an organization has their eyes on one or two offensive players that could contribute. For Detroit, that could be the case.

When you look at how their defensive line depth chart takes shape, they could still look to move a player or two and that would open up those roster spots on offense. On the defensive line, they could still be looking to trade either one of the Okwara brothers or they could look to move a player such as Benito Jones. Having seven edge rushers and five defensive tackles is surprising for an offense that could use another playmaker out of the backfield or at wide receiver.

After the Lions announced their 53-man roster, it was surprising to see that they only had two running backs (David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs) and a fullback (Jason Cabinda) listed on the depth chart. Last year, the Lions had four running backs on the roster and that didn’t include Cabinda.

However, two of the running backs on last years roster (Craig Reynolds and Jermar Jefferson) could make it to the practice squad and if they move a defensive player, one of them could make it back to the roster.

That said, could the Lions look to add one of the running backs that were cut this week as teams across the NFL trimmed their roster from 90 players to 53 players?

That’s what I envision the Detroit Lions doing. Now the question is who could they be prepared to add at the running back position? Here’s three running back the Lions could consider adding for their 53-man roster:

Zonovan “Bam” Knight

This will be a player that will be at the top of the list for plenty of teams in the NFL. That’s why it was surprising to see the New York Jets move on from Knight without trading him but maybe their asking price was too high. Either way, the Lions could very well be interested in the talented back who went undrafted out of N.C. State in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Last season as a rookie, Knight ran for 300 yards with a touchdown and he added 13 receptions for 100 yards. At 5’10” and 209 pounds, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds and he had a 3-cone drill time of 6.95 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The Lions are familiar with Knight as they limited him to only 23 yards on 13 carries last season during their week 15 battle. Prior to that game, Knight had averaged 77 rushing yards per game for the Jets. Regardless of his stat line versus the Lions, Knight showed his ability to be an effective pass-catcher while being able to run efficiently in a zone running scheme.

The most impressive stat for Knight is that he forced a broken tackle on 34% of his rushes last year and that was number one in the NFL. During training camp, reports came out of New York that Knight excels running behind a fullback and that he looked “like the best running back in camp.”

For Detroit, this would be a home run addition for what they do offensively and how it feels like they need to add a player to their backfield.

Tyler Badie

Badie is another one-year running back from the 2022 NFL Draft that has some potential. Now that’s simply based on the type of player he was for Missouri. One concern with Badie is that he’s searching for his third team in his second year and he’s only gotten one reception for 24 yards in his career.

The hope for a team like Detroit is that they’ve shown that they can tap into a player and pull some good from them. They’ve found ways to create competition and make the players on the roster better. Maybe they can tap into his 4.45 speed and find ways to get him the football. In his four years at Missouri, he averaged 5.3 yards per carry and he had 126 receptions.

We’ll see if the Lions spin the tires on this one but adding another player to their backfield seems likely. If they miss out on Knight and potentially other running backs, they could turn towards a player such as Badie.

John Kelly

On and off the Cleveland Browns practice squad the last two years, it’s hard to pinpoint what type of player John Kelly can be. One positive when looking at him is that Brad Holmes was with the Rams when Kelly got drafted in the 6th Round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

For Kelly, he’s been a part of some rosters that already have established running backs. With the Rams, he was behind Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown. With the Browns, he was behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Coming to Detroit to back up David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs is probably less than ideal for a player that’s searching for an opportunity.

However, Detroit presents an opportunity for a third running back. Especially if that running back comes in and works hard. While Kelly isn’t a speedster with his 40-yard dash time of 4.62 seconds, he was a physical runner in college at Tennessee. He shook off tacklers on just about every run, and he showed good lateral ability when cutting in the open field.

While signing John Kelly might not be splashy, it could still be a good move for both parties. After all, Kelly is an Oak Park, Michigan native who could look for one last hurrah in his hometown.

 

WATCH: John Kelly Jr. scores first touchdown of the preseason

John Kelly finds the endzone!

The Cleveland Browns have finally found the endzone against the New York Jets in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game! Featured with a heavy workload, running back John Kelly Jr. scored on a pass from Kellen Mond from three yards out.

You can find the scoring play here as the Browns cut the lead to 13-6 in Canton, Ohio.

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Browns: 5 offensive players with the most to gain in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game

Thursday is the prime chance for certain players to make a good impression on the coaching staff

The long wait for Cleveland Browns football is nearly over as they are set to play the New York Jets in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game Thursday night. Though you likely won’t see any starters or major contributors play on Thursday there are still plenty to watch for.

Borderline roster players will benefit from the extra game this year with more of an opportunity to prove themselves to the coaching staff. On top of players trying to make the roster in Cleveland, you have players who are just trying to make an impression on any team in the league to continue their journey.

Here’s a look at five offensive players that stand to gain the most from Thursday’s preseason game.

Nick Chubb is the NFL’s best running back in Madden 24

Madden 24 ratings continue to drop, and the Browns boast the best running back in the game

We are now on day three of the player rating reveal from Madden 24. Today, running backs and offensive linemen have been unveiled, and the Cleveland Browns boast the best running back in the NFL. The dominance of Nick Chubb has been obvious over the past four seasons, and he is finally getting his flowers as the league’s best across the board. And Madden agrees as well.

Here we take a look at Chubb’s rating as well as the rest of the running backs on the roster as well.

Undrafted free agent running back Hassan Hall has not been added yet.

Browns make handful of moves on the eve of their matchup with Commanders

The Browns have made a handful of roster moves.

The Cleveland Browns lost on Christmas Eve to the New Orleans Saints, but are hoping their holiday luck turns around on New Year’s Day against the Washington Commanders. On paper, the Browns seem to have an advantage, but that has not gone in their favor much this season. Can the Browns find a way to stack two wins to end the season?

On the Eve of their matchup, however, the Browns have made three roster moves before they take the field in the nation’s capital. Here are the three moves the Browns have made as they prepare to take on the Commanders in D.C. on New Year’s Day.

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Browns bring back RB John Kelly on reserve/futures deal

Browns continue to bring back key practice squad players for the 2022 offseason:

The Cleveland Browns continue bringing back some of their key practice squad players from the 2021 season on reserve/futures deals.

Over the last couple of weeks, the team has brought back a number of players including eight at once including Alex Taylor and Curtis Weaver. Three more were added a few days later before Herb Miller was also signed to a reserve/futures deal.

This week, the team announced that they had signed RB John Kelly as well. Kelly played in four games for the Browns in 2021 before injuring his ankle late in the season. Kelly’s contract with the team had expired last week.

The reserve/future deals are allowed for teams eliminated from post-season to start preparing their offseason roster. Only players who were on a practice squad or free agents at the end of the year are eligible for this kind of contract at this time.

Kelly will join the rest of the reserve/futures deals for offseason activities and training camp in 2022 with Cleveland. He can also rehab his ankle with the team if needed or desired now that he signed his contract.

Browns practice squad updates: Kelly returns, one waived, four protected Tuesday

One running back is back, one is gone and four players are protected, all from the Browns practice squad:

As has been normal throughout the season, the Cleveland Browns remained active with their roster. Tuesday, it was their practice squad.

A day after being waived off the main roster, running back John Kelly returned to the team’s practice squad. With Nick Chubb and Demetric Felton returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list and Kareem Hunt expected to return as early as this week, Kelly wasn’t needed on the active roster.

To make room for Kelly, the team waived running back Dexter Williams off the practice squad.

As they do every week, the Browns also protected four players from their practice squad in advance of their Week 12 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. Quarterback Nick Mullens, kicker Chris Nagger, defensive end Porter Gustin and defensive back Herb Miller are now protected from being picked up by other teams this week.

Mullens and Nagger are regulars on the list while Miller has been called up to the main roster previously as Gustin was last week.

With some players returning from injury, Cleveland may be less likely to call up players on game day from the practice squad but protecting them makes sure they are available if needed.

Browns waive RB John Kelly, activate OL Nick Harris

With running backs coming back, John Kelly was waived. Nick Harris had to be activated this week:

The Cleveland Browns need to turn quickly from their victory in Week 11 to their very important matchup in Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens. That started today with the team waiving running back John Kelly and activating offensive lineman Nick Harris.

Kelly was on the COVID-19 list before being activated recently. With Nick Chubb and Demetric Felton back off the same list and Kareem Hunt expected to return soon, Kelly was the odd man out.

In three games this year, Kelly had two carries for 11 yards. He could return to the team’s practice squad if he clears waivers.

Harris was designated to return from the injured reserve list and was required to be activated this week. The backup interior offensive lineman has played in five games this season with all coming on special teams.

Harris primarily backs up starting center J.C. Tretter. Tretter has been limited in practices due to leg injuries but hasn’t missed a game. Harris gives the team some protection in case anything happens to their veteran starter. Undersized, Harris has good movement skill for the zone blocking scheme Cleveland runs.

Baker Mayfield returns to practice, John Kelly returns from COVID-19 list

QB back in action and one running back back. Chubb could return soon but nothing certain:

The Cleveland Browns are in desperate need of some good news. While the only news that will ultimately matter is the scoreboard after each game for the rest of 2021, little pieces will be helpful.

Thursday, the team got a couple of those little pieces of good news.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield, limited by three different injuries was able to return to practice on Thursday. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt stated that Wednesday was a chance for Mayfield to rest up his injuries some before returning to practice in preparation for Week 11’s matchup with the Detroit Lions.

The Browns also got running back John Kelly back as he was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday as well. Kelly joins D’Ernest Johnson as the team’s lone two active running backs right now. According to Van Pelt, Chubb is trending in the right direction to be active for Sunday

Kelly was placed lost to the COVID list a day prior to Chubb and Demetric Felton. If the latter two backs have the same length on the list, they would return to practice on Friday. That is not certain.