Tag: Sam Kamara

Browns sign two to active roster off of practice squad

The Browns have signed DT Sam Kamara and DE Elerson Smith to their active roster off of their practice squad

After trading away Za’Darius Smith and releasing Quinton Jefferson, the Cleveland Browns have replaced them with defensive linemen Sam Kamara and Elerson Smith off of their practice squad.

This now puts the Browns back at 53 men on their active roster after signing cornerback Chigozie Anusiem off of the Washington Commanders’ practice squad earlier this week. With defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. sidelined this week against the New Orleans Saints, these two young defensive linemen may play a flurry of snaps on Sunday.

Kamara has been a mainstay on the Browns’ practice squad over the past handful of seasons. He is typically the first player signed to the active roster from the practice squad when a roster spot on the defensive side of the ball opens up.

Smith, a defensive end signed to Cleveland’s practice squad a few weeks ago, is a former fourth round pick of the New York Giants in the 2021 NFL draft. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, Smith has bounced around the league over the past few years. He spent time on the practice squad of the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders before coming to Cleveland.

Browns re-sign exclusive rights free agent DE Sam Kamara

The ERFA is officially back.

The Cleveland Browns have officially re-signed reserve defensive end Sam Kamara, who was an exclusive rights free agent.

A mainstay on their practice squad over the past two seasons, Kamara has even found himself on the active roster and a part of the 53-man roster in Cleveland as the wear and tear of the seasons rolled along. Kamara, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2021, has appeared in three games for the Browns and has racked up seven tackles and one tackle behind the line of scrimmage.

From last season’s defensive line group, the Browns have also brought back defensive end Za’Darius Smith and defensive tackles Shelby Harris and Maurice Hurst. In free agency, they signed Quinton Jefferson as the replacement for Jordan Elliott, who left for the San Francisco 49ers.

Kamara is no lock to make the roster, but the Browns have loved keeping him around, so one would have to assume he has a fast pass to the practice squad at the end of training camp.

Browns DE Sam Kamara signs his Exclusive Rights tender and will return

Another defensive end will return in 2024 as well.

Another defensive end is returning to the Cleveland Browns in 2024 NFL free agency. After reportedly agreeing to terms to re-sign Za’Darius Smith, the Browns now get Sam Kamara back as well, signing his Exclusive Rights tender today (according to The OBR’s Brad Stainbrook).

Players with less than four vested seasons in the NFL do not hit unrestricted free agency, and Kamara fell into that category. With less than two accrued seasons, Kamara was given the Exclusive Rights tag.

This means all the Browns have to do is give him a qualifying offer, and he is not allowed to shop it around. His only course of action is to return to the Browns.

Kamara has been a mainstay on the practice squad over the past two seasons and was even signed to the active roster at the midway point of last year. He appeared in two games for the Browns.

After signing his tender, Kamara will join the 90-man roster for training camp once again. In all likelihood, the Browns would love to keep him around on the practice squad again in 2024.

PFF’s 10 highest-graded Browns’ defensive players vs. Bengals

The backup defense struggled to finish the regular season

Just like they did for the offense Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns rested most of their significant contributors in the season finale against the Bengals. It was not a good start in Cincinnati as the Bengals scored 24 points in the first half and took a commanding 24-0 lead into the break. They played better in the second half as the Bengals also started to pull their starters.

Young safety D’Anthony Bell continued his strong season with his second interception and he played well for most of the day in both facets of the game. Vincent Gray who was elevated from the practice squad for the game had a great day in coverage and made a couple of impressive plays.

Sam Kamara showed his versatility by playing both inside and outside with consistent success. Rookie Isaiah McGuire might have had the best day as he registered five quarterback pressures and two sacks on the day. Here are the Top 10 performances for the defense according to PFF.

Anthony Walker Jr.’s season is over, DE Sam Kamara signed back to Browns’ active roster

The Browns have made a couple of roster moves.

The Cleveland Browns have ended the season of linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. and have added defensive lineman Sam Kamara back to their active roster.

While the Browns were hopeful that Walker Jr. would be able to return from getting his knee scoped three weeks ago in time for the playoffs, those dreams have been dashed as he has landed on Injured Reserve. His season is over.

Walker Jr. was Cleveland’s 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. Look for Sione Takitaki to continue to take over the MIKE linebacker duties the rest of the way out.

To take his spot on the 53-man roster, the Browns have once again signed Kamara back to the active roster. Kamara was released earlier this week, cleared waivers, and was signed back to the practice squad. The Browns now have an opening on their practice squad to fill once again.

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Browns Inactives: Denzel Ward returns, Anthony Walker Jr. OUT vs. Bears

Now 90 minutes from gametime, the Browns have released their inactives against the Bears as Denzel Ward will make his return

Welcome to Week 15 as the Cleveland Browns host the Chicago Bears on a messy, rainy afternoon. It might be gloomy outside, but the Browns get some good news as Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward is set to return to the lineup after missing the last three games with a shoulder injury. Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., who was listed as questionable, will not play, however.

For a team as beat up as the Browns, placing four significant contributors on Injured Reserve this week alone, getting Ward on the field as Justin Fields and the Bears come to Cleveland Browns Stadium is a massive boost for the defense.

Given those injuries, we will also see the Cleveland Browns’ debut of rookie defensive tackle Siaki Ika, who has been inactive every game this season. Fourth round defensive end Isaiah McGuire will see his second bout of action as well.

With these two rookies off the bench, who is inactive for the Browns today? Here is the list of players who will not dress against the Bears as Cleveland looks to continue to hold their wildcard slot even tighter.

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Browns sign DE Sam Kamara, not Joe Flacco to active roster

The Browns are signing a player to the active roster, and not Joe Flacco. Defensive end Sam Kamara is headed to the 53.

The Cleveland Browns have made an anticipated move to sign a player off of their practice squad to their active roster. However, that move is not promoting quarterback Joe Flacco. Instead, the Browns have added defensive end Sam Kamara from of their practice squad to their 53-man roster (per ESPN’s Jake Trotter).

There have been no subsequent roster moves made yet, however, one will have to be made to clear a spot for Kamara. The obvious move, however, will be to place right tackle Dawand Jones on Injured Reserve as he has undergone season-ending knee surgery. This is likely not the only roster move the Browns make this week, as Flacco will also find his way to the 53-man roster.

There is no need to panic over the status of Flacco as he can sign with any team. He is not going anywhere. For now, however, it is Kamara who heads to the active roster first.

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PFF’s 10 highest-graded Browns defenders vs. the Eagles

Who topped the Browns list of top defenders on Thursday?

The defense of the Cleveland Browns had an impressive start to Thursday’s against the Philadelphia Eagles. They started the game by forcing an early safety to get Cleveland on the board first. Rookie undrafted free agent linebacker Mohamoud Diabate continued to show that he can be a nice depth piece for the team. He played fast diagnosing the play in front of him quickly and exploding to the ball to make a play.

Before exiting early with an injury, one he has been cleared of, Ronnie Hickman made another interception as he fights for a roster spot. The Browns also debuted new defensive tackle Shelby Harris as he works to get up to speed.

Here are PFF’s best Browns defensive players from their third preseason game against the Eagles.

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.

PFF’s 10 highest-graded defenders in Pro Football Hall of Fame Game

There was plenty to like from the defense on Thursday

The return of football didn’t bring any starters with it but there was still plenty to like for the Cleveland Browns during Thursday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game victory over the New York Jets. The Browns had several players flashing during the game including linebacker Tony Fields II who was flying all over the field. Edge Alex Wright looked faster off the line of scrimmage and made several nice plays against the run.

But according to PFF, some of the best play came from the defensive backs including rookie fifth-round pick Cameron Mitchell. Let’s take a look at the 10 highest-graded Browns defenders according to PFF from the victory over the Jets.