Browns place claim on big DT, lose out due to record
Texans, Cleveland’s Week 16 opponent, were awarded Teair Tart
The Cleveland Browns have been hit with injury after injury all year but have found a way to fill gaps, fill roles and make it work to the tune of a 9-5 record. While earlier in the season the offense had most of the bad news, the Browns defense started taking hits as well in the last few weeks.
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The dominant defensive line has lost DT Maurice Hurst for the season and, likely, DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo as well but the team is still holding out hope there.
Last week, the Tennessee Titans waived DT Teair Tart, a starter on their defensive line, for what was reported as effort and attitude issues. Tart was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans but Cleveland also put a claim in on him:
In three-plus seasons, Tart has 76 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 14 QB hits and seven passes defended. According to Pro Football Focus, 2022 was Tart’s best season with a 73.1 overall grade with a 75.9 pass-rush grade and 67.0 against the run.
Tart was hoping for a long-term contract this offseason but was limited as a restricted free agent.
The Browns and Texans face off in Week 16 but Tart may not see the field right away as he gets acclimated to the system.
Cleveland GM Andrew Berry never stops trying to make moves so putting in a claim for Tart is no surprise. It will be interesting how Berry continues to deal with the numerous injuries around the team with three weeks left in the season.
