CB Joe Haden Returns to Browns' Active Roster; QB Thaddeus Lewis Waived

There has been quit a bit of injury and roster-related moves made this week, but today saw the first move made to the team's 53-man roster in awhile: third-string quarterback Thaddeus Lewis was waived in order to make room for CB Joe Haden, who is returning from a four-game suspension.

We knew the Browns would have to cut someone loose upon Haden's return, and Lewis isn't a bad choice. The only way he would ever see the field is if both Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy suffered injuries in the same game. Odds are, that's not going to happen. The Browns would still probably like to keep Lewis around for next season, but he is not practice squad eligible, and I don't think another team is itching to make a midseason roster move to include Lewis on their 53-man roster.

Earlier in the week, the Browns made a couple of other moves. They waived DE Marcus Benard from the injured/reserve list. I am assuming that either there is a financial benefit to the Browns for that move, or that they are giving him the opportunity to play for another team this season, maybe per his request. The other move is that LB Benjamin Jacobs, who was on the practice squad, had his contract terminated. The team signed WR Rod Windsor in his place.

It's not a surprise that the Browns signed Windsor. Three receivers -- Mohamed Massaquoi, Travis Benjamin, and Jordan Norwood -- are currently idle with injuries. That left four guys available to practice -- Greg Little, Josh Gordon, Joshua Cribbs, and Josh Cooper (with Cooper on the practice squad). The Browns usually want at least five receivers so that fifth guy can play on the scout team; I assume that is the purpose Windsor will serve this week. Once one of the other receivers gets healthy, I expect Windsor's contract to be terminated and Jacobs to be re-signed to the practice squad. Of course, with only three healthy receivers, the Browns may actually make another roster move this week if they want to add Cooper to the 53-man roster. They do have the option of placing one player on the temporary injured reserve list.

In other news, LB D'Qwell Jackson practiced on Thursday and is expected to play against the Bengals this Sunday. DT Ahtyba Rubin did not practice as he deals with a calf injury, and his availability for the game is in doubt. CB Dimitri Patterson will not be playing with an ankle injury. Lastly, LB Scott Fujita missed practice with a shoulder/neck issue, but it's unclear if that will affect his status for Sunday's game.