Browns Add Veteran Running Back to the Practice Squad, While Bringing back a Wide Receiver; David Bell to IR
The Browns made a few roster moves on Tuesday, including adding a seven-year running back.
The Cleveland Browns officially have placed wide receiver David Bell on injured reserve with a hip injury. In addition, the team has signed wide receiver Jaelon Darden and running back Royce Freeman to the practice squad.
Bell, a third-round pick in 2022, has appeared in 32 career games. He has recorded 41 receptions for 408 yards with one touchdown. This season he has three receptions for 27 yards.
Darden (5-8, 175) is in his third NFL season out of North Texas. Originally selected by Tampa Bay in the fourth round in 2021, Darden has appeared in 25 career games, including four with the Browns. He will wear No. 16.
Freeman (6-4, 240) is officially in his seventh NFL season out of Oregon. Originally selected by Denver in the third round of the 2018 draft, Freeman has appeared in 79 career games. He has registered 471 carries for 1,792 yards and 10 touchdowns, while adding 86 receptions for 532 yards and a score. Last season, he appeared in 14 games with the Rams. Freeman will wear No. 28.
Running back Pierre Strong suffered a hamstring injury in the win over the Jaguars and is ‘week to week’ according to Kevin Stefanski.
On Monday, Stefanski said that Bell would likely have season-ending surgery.
“David Bell has a hip injury that will require surgery,” Stefanski said. “So disappointing for David. I will tell you, I gave him a game ball. He only had nine plays and had three catches.
“A guy that his teammates really appreciate how that kid works,” he said. “And then he’ll bounce back.”
Stefanski said he’s disappointed for Bell.
“Nobody likes to see (injuries) like that, that can end the season,” he said. “Feel badly for David. I know his teammates feel badly for him, but he will bounce back. He’s a guy that is a big part of this football team, he’ll be here.
“I’m sure as he rehabs, he can provide that steady hand, as well.”
Bell (6-1, 212) is in his third season from Purdue after being drafted in the third-round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Bell was kept on the original 53-man roster, but then was released when he was not ready to play early on with a quad injury, suffered in the preseason. The Browns added him to the practice squad and then re-signed him to the active roster on Sept, 11.
The Cleveland Browns notched their first win of the 2024 season by defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in week two. Now it is time to examine whose stock is on the rise and which players have taken a dip in this week’s stock report.
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