We start things off today with some bad news -- running back Brandon Jackson was placed on the injured reserve with a toe injury, meaning he'll be out the entire season. He joins teammates Eric Steinbach and Reggie Hodges on that list. All three players are a big loss, but Jackson was having such a great camp prior to his toe injury that it's really a shame to hear that he won't be a part of this offense. That means Montario Hardesty will really have to step his game up to provide some depth behind Peyton Hillis.
The following players were cut by the Cleveland Browns, trimming their roster from 80 to the league required 53 players. Make sure you react to all of the cuts in the comments section below! The final 53-man roster is also at the bottom of this post.
(Key: Expected Cut, Highlighted/Notable Cut, Shocker Cut)
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS CUT
- QB Jarrett Brown - His arm offers some reason to be intrigued, but he offered no incentive to be on the final roster. I think he'll be on the practice squad.
- FB Tyler Clutts - I think the coaching staff really liked Clutts, and even though practice squad fullbacks don't seem traditional, I think he'll be on there.
- RB Quinn Porter - Because Jackson was placed on the IR and the lack of proven depth behind Hillis, Porter will probably be kept on the practice squad as insurance.
- WR Rod Windsor - He was quietly consistent throughout the duration of camp and could be worth a second look.
- WR Demetrius Williams - He had some good place, but there wasn't enough room for another veteran receiver on the final roster.
- WR L.J. Castile - I originally pegged him as a practice squad receiver, so we'll see if he ends up there or if it is Windsor who makes it.
- WR Chris Matthews - I know he had the height, but he didn't have the hands in camp.
- TE Evan Frosch - We weren't going to keep a fifth tight end.
- OG Jarrod Shaw - Never stood out.
- OG Dominic Alford - Never stood out.
- OT Branndon Braxton - I had a hunch that Braxton would be waived, but this is still a slight surprise because he was seeing a little bit of action with the first-team offense at right tackle early in camp. He also looked like the primary backup tackle behind Thomas at one point.
- OT Phil Trautwein - Never stood out.
- OT Calton Ford - Never stood out.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS CUT
- DE Travis Ivey - I was correct to move him to my "cut" list at the last second, as the staff was more interested in keeping Paxson.
- DT Ko Quaye - Not needed.
- DL Brian Sanford - Not needed.
- DL Andre Carroll - Not needed.
- LB Brian Smith - I don't mind this move, because Smith only received significant playing time due to Fujita's injury. Still, because of the team's injury problems at linebacker, I thought he'd be on there. Jacobs made it instead.
- LB Archie Donald - Not needed.
- LB Sidney Tarver - Not needed.
- LB Steve Octavien - He had some aggression early in camp, but kind of faded out over the last two preseason games. He could have offered something on special teams.
- LB Eric Gordon - Not needed.
- CB Carl Gettis - Not needed.
- CB Coye Francies - I always liked Francies, but the emergence of Dockery and the drafting of Skrine kind of sealed his fate.
- CB Ramzee Robinson - The veteran was able to make a couple of plays in camp, but did anyone really think he had a chance at making the final roster?
- S DeAngelo Smith - I think Smith could still be a practice squad candidate, but it seems like I always say that about him.
FORMER BROWNS PLAYERS WAIVED
- QB Graham Harrell (Packers)
- RB Thomas Clayton (Seahawks)
- OT Kirk Chambers (Lions)
- OG Floyd Womack (Cardinals) *placed on injured reserve
- DT Swanson Miller (Saints)
- LB Kevin Bentley (Chargers)
- S Nate Ness (Dolphins)
- CB Don Carey (Jaguars)
FINAL 53-MAN ROSTER (on 9/3/11)
QB (2):
-Colt McCoy
-Seneca Wallace
RB (3):
-Peyton Hillis
-Montario Hardesty
-Armond Smith
FB (1):
-Owen Marecic
WR (6):
-Brian Robiskie
-Mohamed Massaquoi
-Joshua Cribbs
-Greg Little
-Jordan Norwood
-Carlton Mitchell
TE (4):
-Benjamin Watson
-Evan Moore
-Jordan Cameron
-Alex Smith
OL (9):
-Joe Thomas
-Jason Pinkston
-Alex Mack
-Shawn Lauvao
-Tony Pashos
-John Greco
-Oniel Cousins
-Steve Vallos
-Pat Murray
DL (9):
-Jabaal Sheard
-Ahtyba Rubin
-Phil Taylor
-Jayme Mitchell
-Marcus Benard
-Brian Schafering
-Derreck Robinson
-Scott Paxson
-Auston English
LB (6):
-Scott Fujita
-D'Qwell Jackson
-Chris Gocong
-Kaluka Maiva
-Titus Brown
-Benjamin Jacobs
S (5):
-T.J. Ward
-Usama Young
-Mike Adams
-Eric Hagg
-Ray Ventrone
CB (5):
-Joe Haden
-Sheldon Brown
-Dimitri Patterson
-Buster Skrine
-James Dockery
ST (3):
-Phil Dawson
-Richmond McGee
-Ryan Pontbriand
I ended up being correct with 50 of my 53 roster projections. The ones that I missed who ended up making it were Paxson, Jacobs, and Cousins. One other sidenote: Dave Zastudil ended up making the Cardinals roster as their new punter.