Browns Release Rex Sunahara, Sign Two Players to Practice Squad - Cleveland Tracker
AUGUST 29 - PRACTICE SQUAD MOVES - Potentially wrapping up what turned out to be a busy day for the Cleveland Browns front office, they made two more additions to their practice squad Thursday.
As announced by the team's website, the Browns have added receiver Tulu Griffin and tight end Cameron Latu to their practice squad while releasing long-snapper Rex Sunahara.
This news came with our previously reported practice squad signings of Gary Brightwell, Mike Ford Jr., and Blake Whiteheart.
AUGUST 29 - WARREN UPDATE - Despite initial reports stating that his status for Week 1 was in doubt after suffering a hamstring injury in the Pittsburgh Steelers' 9-3 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills, star running back Jaylen Warren could be ready to play after all.
As Penn Live's Nick Farabaugh shared on Twitter, Warren told the media Wednesday that he expects to play in Week 1.
“Jaylen Warren says his hamstring is feeling much better. He expects to play Week 1 against the Falcons,” Farabaugh wrote about Warren's comments.
This would be a big boost for the Steelers' offense, which, under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, is expected to lean heavily on its ground game. The Steelers would still have the former first-round pick Najee Harris available in the event Warren misses the game.
Some believe the former undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State is the better, more explosive running back.
AUGUST 28 - COWBOYS SIGNING—Just a day after trimming down their roster to the NFL's 53-man limit, the Dallas Cowboys have already made an addition. Well, kind of. It isn't an addition to their 53-man roster; instead, it is just to the practice squad, as they signed former four-time Pro Bowl Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook.
As first reported by NFL.com's Tom Pelissero, Cook, the 29-year-old, just visited and worked out for the Cowboys Tuesday. With Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn on the roster, the Cowboys will stash Cook on their practice squad until he is ready to be activated.
The Cowboys are Cook's third team since being released from the Vikings, where he spent the first five years of his career. The former Florida State product compiled four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons and made it to the Pro Bowl four times. However, as has been the case for many running backs in recent years, his production and health deteriorated as he aged.
That led to his release in June of last year. From there, he spent time with the New York Jets, rushing for just 214 yards on 67 attempts despite playing in 15 games, before he once again found himself a free agent. His release from New York saw him join the Baltimore Ravens for their playoff run.
AUGUST 27 - CEEDEE CONTRACT - After a weeks-long holdout, star receiver CeeDee Lamb returns to the Dallas Cowboys facility Monday as he signed his new contract. The former first-round pick was in training camp after a long absence from the Cowboys as he awaited an extension to his previously expiring contract.
However, after almost a month of waiting and even responding to some of Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones's odd comments, the two sides came to an agreement Monday.
According to reports, Lamb signed a four-year contract totaling $136 million, with an annual average value of $34 million. He became the league's second-highest-paid non-quarterback. Only Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson ranks above him in terms of money.
The agreement on an extension now clarifies whether the Cowboys will have their star receiver in their Week 1 matchup versus the Cleveland Browns.
AUGUST 26— CHASE UPDATE - As the Cincinnati Bengals turn the page on the preseason and start preparations for their regular season opener against the New England Patriots, the Cleveland Browns' AFC North rivals received positive news.
According to a report from NFL.com's Tom Pelissero, Ja'Marr Chase participated in practice Sunday despite being a holdout until now as he awaits a contract extension.
While this doesn't necessarily mean that Chase will receive a contract extension immediately, it seemingly indicates that his holdout will likely not extend into the beginning of the regular season.
AUG 25 - RAVENS COACH PASSES AWAY - Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris passed away on Sunday at the age of 70, the team announced via their website. D'Alessandris had to be hospitalized earlier in the month with an undisclosed illness and was expected to remain under treatment for an extended amount of time.
The longtime coach "was a revered figure in the organization," a statement from the team said.
"Coach 'Joe D.' was a man of integrity and a man of faith. He made us all better," Head Coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. "He was our reader at team mass, and he was loved by all here. He was a great coach and a good man – the kind of person who you are honored to have as a friend. He raised three incredible, beautiful daughters, and he was a most loving husband. His grandkids also adored him. I admired him, loved him and am going to miss him, because 'Joe D.' was a joy. Toni has him back now. May God bless 'Joe D.' forever."
D'Alessandris coached in the NFL for 15 years for the Ravens, Chargers, Bills and Chiefs and spent 45 years total coaching football.
AUG 13 JOK IN The Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms with standout defender Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, which locks in JOK on one side of the line and Myles Garrett on the other ... yes, a concern for their rivals here in Pittsburgh.
JOK is following up his Pro Bowl season with a three-year deal reportedly worth up to $39 million, with $25 million guaranteed ... all in all what seems like a fair deal for the budding 24-year-old star. ...
And a fearsome deal for a Browns defense that wants to be the NFL's best.
AUGUST 11 - FALCONS SIGNING - As first reported by NFL.com's Tom Pelissero, the Atlanta Falcons have signed veteran receiver and special teams returner Jakeem Grant to a one-year contract.
The move from the Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 1 opponent comes after they lost Rondale Moore to a season-ending knee injury he suffered during the Falcons practice Wednesday.
Grant, the former sixth-round pick out of Texas Tech, spent the last two seasons with the Cleveland Browns. However, despite spending two seasons in Cleveland, he never played a regular-season game as he suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries.
Yet, before his injury-plagued time in Cleveland, he had put together a productive career as a special teams returner. During his six non-consecutive seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Grant totaled 1,001 yards and five touchdowns receiving.
He also starred on special teams as a returner, totaling 2,206 yards and two scores on kick returns and 978 yards and three touchdowns on punt returns.
AUGUST 10 - COOPER ON THE MOVE? - In their quest to trade for San Francisco 49ers star receiver Brandon Aiyuk, it seems the Pittsburgh Steelers rival, Cleveland Browns, has upset one of their own in the process.
Following a report Friday from NBCSports's Matt Maiocco that revealed the Browns offered their current star receiver Amari Cooper in addition to a second, and a fifth-round pick to the Niners in a now rejected proposal, Cleveland may not be alone in their desire to move on.
Not long after the news broke that the Browns offered Cooper in their proposal to the Niners, the 30-year-old posted a very cryptic message to his Instagram Story.
"Lol, I wouldn't mind at all," Cooper wrote.
What wouldn't he mind? Well, he doesn't specify, but considering that the post came out Friday evening following the report of Cleveland's offer, we presume to say that Cooper is suggesting he "wouldn't mind" a trade to San Francisco.
If Cooper is indeed disgruntled by these trade talks, then things could be even more interesting for the Steelers' AFC North rivals because even if they don't land Aiyuk, the damage may have already been done to their relationship with Cooper.
AUGUST 8 - With the start of the NFL's regular season just around the corner, Bud Light, the league's "official beer sponsor," has unveiled special edition team cans.
So, if fans are looking for an adult beverage to enjoy with the team's upcoming preseason opener on Friday, Bud Light is now selling limited edition Pittsburgh Steelers-themed cans.
The Steelers will play host to the Houston Texans on Friday night. Kickoff inside of Acrisure Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. (EST).
AUGUST 6 - NO ISSUES—One of the biggest questions heading into training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers' rival Cleveland Browns was Deshaun Watson's health and, more specifically, how he'd adjust to throwing the football every day once again.
According to all accounts, Watson has not had any cause for concern during the first two weeks of training camp. Newly hired Browns offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey continued that trend on Monday when speaking with the media for the first time in Cleveland.