Browns Place CB Chris Owens on IR; More Playing Time for Leon McFadden

Earlier this week, I was contemplating an article in my mind that would discuss personnel moves the Cleveland Browns need to make over the final four games of the season. The top name on that list would have been cornerback Leon McFadden, the team's third-round pick out of San Diego State. It looks like McFadden will actually get that opportunity to play.

The Browns placed cornerback Chris Owens on injured reserve Tuesday after he suffered a knee injury at the end of this past Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This season, cornerbacks Joe Haden and Buster Skrine have been the definitive starters, with Owens entering the game in nickel packages. In that role, Owens saw a significant amount of playing time, and was also often utilized as a blitzing cornerback.

One would expect McFadden to absorb all of that playing time now; he has already been seeing a few increased reps over the past couple of weeks. He has not recorded any defensive stats, though: no tackles, no passes defensed, etc. He looked vulnerable as a cornerback in the preseason, but several months have passed by since then. He does have three special teams tackles on the season.

With the open roster spot, the Browns promoted cornerback Julian Posey from the practice squad. Posey was on the active roster for one game a few weeks ago before being waived and placed on the practice squad.