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Cleveland Browns announce 2023 practice squad; re-sign Austin Watkins, sign QB P.J. Walker and former first-round pick Alex Leatherwood

The Cleveland Browns have announced their initial 15-player practice squad for the 2023 season.

CLEVELAND — On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns announced their first 53-man roster of the 2023 season, but Andrew Berry wasn't done making moves.

On Wednesday, the Browns announced that they have claimed cornerback Kahlef Hailassie from the Kansas City Chiefs. In a corresponding move, Cleveland waived cornerback A.J. Green III.

Additionally on Wednesday, the Browns announced their initial 15-player practice squad. For now, Cleveland's practice squad includes the following 12 players who spent the 2023 preseason with the Browns:

  • CB Lorenzo Burns
  • WR Jaelon Darden
  • G Michaell Dunn
  • RB Hassan Hall
  • DT Trysten Hill
  • DE Sam Kamara
  • S Tanner McCalister
  • TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden
  • DE Lonnie Phelps
  • LB Charlie Thomas III
  • DE Isaiah Thomas
  • WR Austin Watkins

As well as the following three players who were signed by Cleveland on Wednesday:

  • K Lucas Havrisik
  • OL Alex Leatherwood
  • QB P.J. Walker

Of note, the Browns re-signed Dunn, who was a surprising release by the team ahead of Tuesday's roster cutdown. The versatile offensive lineman has received playing time in each of the previous three seasons of Cleveland and was once again expected to be one of the Browns' top backup offensive linemen.

Additionally, the Browns re-signed Watkins, who was one of the league's preseason standouts this summer. Appearing in all four of Cleveland's preseason games, the UAB product led the NFL with 257 receiving yards on 16 catches, including two touchdowns.

As for the new additions, Leatherwood is just two years removed from being selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. After being released by the Raiders following a disappointing rookie season, he spent the 2022 campaign with the Chicago Bears before being waived this past week.

Walker, meanwhile, enjoyed a standout 2020 season with the XFL's Houston Roughnecks before spending the past three seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Appearing in 15 games for Carolina, the Temple product completed 57.5 percent of his pass attempts for 1,461 yards, five touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Players on NFL practice squads are eligible to practice with their respective teams but are ineligible to play in games unless signed to the 53-man active roster. Practice squad players are eligible to sign with other teams, but must be signed to their active rosters to do so.

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