The Browns have sold wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in 2025. Peoples-Jones was originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 draft out of Michigan. He was on the final year of his rookie contract, and the Browns were not expected to be aggressive in re-signing him.
The fourth-year wide receiver had success in Cleveland during his first three years, amassing 117 catches for 1,837 yards but his 2023 season has been a colossal disappointment in the receiving category, where he has just eight catches for 97 yards.
It’s not for lack of routes run, however, as Jack Duffin noted.
With Peoples-Jones coming to Detroit, the Browns now have multiple options. With a relatively deep wide receiver room, the Browns could look to Marquise Goodwin, David Bell, or, most likely, Cedric Tillman for additional snaps. They could also be seeking for additional wide receiver help outside of their current squad, as they have been believed to be in the market in recent weeks.
Along with veteran running back Kenyan Drake, the Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms with free agency offensive tackle Geron Christian and wide receiver James Proche to join the team’s practice squad. After Ty Nsekhe sustained a biceps injury against the Seattle Seahawks, the Browns needed more depth at that position. As a returner, Proche brings another veteran with experience. Nsekhe has been placed on the practice squad/injured, while RB Nate McCrary and RB Jordan Wilkins have been released.
Due to concerns about the availability of left tackle Jedrick Wills, who was a game-time decision, Nsekhe was activated from the practice squad. When Wills was unable to practice this week, James Hudson III prepared to fill in at left tackle. Despite the injuries, Wills was able to play the entire game and performed admirably under the circumstances. Hudson had no idea he’d have to fill in at right tackle after Dawand Jones suffered a shoulder injury. He attempted to return, but the crew chose to disable him.
Nsekhe was called up in case they needed a swing tackle, suffering his injury while operating as an extra tight end.
Christian is a former Louisville third-round pick who was selected by the Washington Commanders in 2018. This means he is acquainted with Browns offensive line coach Bill Callahan, who was Christian’s associate head coach and offensive line coach during his first two seasons. Christian is 27 years old and is 6’5″ 320 pounds with an 82 3/4″ wingspan. Christian played the last two years with the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs after three seasons with Washington. He also appeared in a game with the Texans this season.
In all, Christian has played 49 games, starting 16. So, he has experience in addition to some familiarity with Callahan. For the Browns, given their current health issues at the tackle position, Christian might be able to step in and play in a pinch. It may prove to be a temporary signing, but Christian will have an opportunity to prove himself worth a longer look with the team, giving them an extra veteran for the rest of the season.
James Proche has played the last three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, appearing in 43 games. He operated as a receiver, catching 25 passes over those three years for 278 yards. Most of his impact came as a returner, mostly on punt returns, where he averaged 8.2 yards per punt return.
Drake is in his eighth season out of Alabama. Drake has played in 103 games (44 starts) and compiled 868 carries for 3,866 yards and 33 touchdowns after initially being picked in the third round by Miami. He has added 218 receptions for 1,655 yards and eight touchdowns. This season, the 6’1″, 211-pound running back appeared in two games for the Ravens with two receptions for 31 yards.
A new NFL season is here and there are plenty of Mississippi State players not only taking part in it but starring on the biggest stage.
Last season, Chris Jones and Willie Gay Jr. helped the Kansas City Chiefs win the Super Bowl for the second time in Jones’ career. The two defeated two more former Bulldog greats in Fletcher Cox and Darius Slay to win the crown, and the four standouts will be battling for the same slot with their respective clubs this year.
State will have two new faces on the field this season, as cornerback Emmanuel Forbes and defensive tackle Cameron Young were chosen and will play a role on defense for Washington and Seattle, respectively.
15 players were on opening day rosters when the season kicks off this weekend and 10 of those players came from Mississippi high schools with three more coming from the Mississippi Junior College system.
Another seven players are currently on practice squad rosters with more potentially being signed soon. Let’s take a look at who to look out for when watching the big games this weekend.
This week, Cox made his 500th career tackle, Preston Smith and Jeffery Simmons each had 2.0 sacks and forced a fumble, and Dak Prescott had his first 300-yard and four-touchdown game of the season at home against the Rams.
Montez Sweat earned his fifth sack of the season before being traded to the Chicago Bears, and Martin Emerson had his second interception of the season for the Browns against Charles Cross and Cameron Young.
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