CLEVELAND — After being waived by the Cleveland Browns as a part of the team's cut down to its initial 53-man roster of the 2021 season, KhaDarel Hodge has a new home. On Wednesday, the Detroit Lions claimed the former Browns wide receiver off of waivers, ending Hodge's two-year stint in Cleveland.
Initially claimed off of waivers by the Browns after being released by the Los Angeles Rams ahead of the 2019 season, Hodge tallied 15 receptions for 256 yards in 25 games over the course of his two seasons in Cleveland. He was also a regular contributor on special teams, where he played 345 total snaps for the Browns.
Despite re-signing with Cleveland on a restricted free agent tender following a 2020 season in which he caught 11 passes for 180 yards -- with each catch coming for a first down -- the 26-year-old Hodge entered 2021 facing stiff competition for playing time in the Browns wide receivers room. Nevertheless, the former Alcorn State standout turned in a strong training camp and caught four passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns while appearing in each of Cleveland's three preseason games.
Ultimately, however, the Browns were unable to keep Hodge on their initial 53-man roster with fellow wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Rashard Higgins and Anthony Schwartz making the team. In Detroit, Hodge joins one of the league's weaker wide receiver units and could be in line for immediate playing time entering the 2021 campaign.