Browns keep 28 newcomers after cuts
Browns defensive end Nate Orchard returns an interception for a 64-yard touchdown against the Lions on Thursday. The play wasn’t enough to secure a roster spot for Orchard, who was waived on Saturday.
Sunday. At 1 p.m., the practice squad can be established.
Dorsey didn’t make any major surprises with the cuts he made Saturday.
The most notable Browns players waived were defensive end Nate Orchard (2015
second-round draft pick), offensive lineman Spencer Drango (2016 fifth-round pick), fullback Danny Vitale (waived/injured, calf), defensive tackle Caleb Brantley (2017 sixth-round pick), cornerback Mike Jordan, Browns schedule
Sept. 9: Sept. 16: Sept. 20: Sept. 30: Oct. 7: Oct. 14: Oct. 21: Oct. 28: Nov. 4: Nov. 11: Nov. 25: Dec. 2: Dec. 9: Dec. 15: Dec. 23: Dec. 30: running back Matthew Dayes (2017 seventh-round pick) and rookie cornerback Simeon Thomas (2018 sixth-round pick).
The release of Justin Vogel is noteworthy, too, because it means the Browns have declared Britton Colquitt the winner of their punting competition, an outcome Jackson had telegraphed in recent days.
Despite Orchard’s 64-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth and final exhibition game, the Browns kept 2016 third-round pick Carl Nassib instead. Their other four ends are starters Myles Garrett and Emmanuel Ogbah, free-agent pickup Chris Smith and rookie third-round choice Chad Thomas.
Lawrence, who missed last season on the non-football injury list and then compiled 10 tackles, three for loss, 2.5 sacks and a pass defensed in the preseason, got the nod over Brantley and joins three holdovers at tackle, Trevon Coley, Larry Ogunjobi and Jamie Meder.
James Burgess, who suffered a concussion against the Lions, and Jermaine Grace round out a linebacking corps headlined by three incumbent starters, Jamie Collins, Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert, and rookie Genard Avery.
Like Orchard, tight end Devon Cajuste found fame this summer through HBO’s "Hard Knocks," only to be cut. Four tight ends made the initial roster: David Njoku, Darren Fells, Orson Charles and Seth DeValve.
The offensive line is an area begging for help via waivers. Backup center Austin Reiter and tackle Greg Robinson are on the team but probably hanging on by a thread.
Rookie sixth-round pick Damion Ratley and undrafted rookie Derrick Willies survived cuts, at least for now, and join Jarvis Landry, Josh Gordon, rookie fourth-round choice Antonio Callaway and Rashard Higgins as the six receivers on the roster.