Browns add C Anthony Fabiano, waive DL Gabe Wright

The Cleveland Browns announced several roster moves on Wednesday:

• C Anthony Fabiano was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
• DL Gabe Wright was waived from the 53-man roster.
• TE E.J. Bibbs and OL Michael Liedtke were signed to the practice squad.

Fabiano was an undrafted free agent this year with the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns signed him at the start of the season to their practice squad. Fabiano showed off his versatility in college, but was being developed as a center by the Browns (and I’m sure our front office appreciated the fact that he was a Harvard grad). Here’s what CBS Sports’ Dane Brugler said about him before the draft:

“Fabiano has a squatty, wide body with the initial quickness to set-up and sit in his stance to engage defenders, using his strong hands to keep rushers from his body. He is extremely intelligent, but needs to improve his pre-snap recognition to sense pressures and adjust accordingly. Although he can get chaotic with his mechanics, Fabiano has versatile experience at all five offensive line positions and has a NFL future if he can stay healthy.”

The Browns had worked out veteran center Bryan Stork on Tuesday, but obviously decided to stick with the younger option. It is still expected that OL John Greco will start at center for the Patriots, but should something happen to him, Fabiano is an insurance policy. He will likely be active on Sunday.

Wright’s release as the corresponding move is somewhat surprising. He was making plays as a spot rotational player, including blowing up back-to-back screen passes this past Sunday. What is more surprising is the fact that the team didn’t just put C Austin Reiter on injured reserve to open the spot for Fabiano. Reiter tore his ACL and will undoubtedly be headed to IR at some point this week, which means the club probably plans on adding another player to the 53-man roster (perhaps a defensive back since they waived S Don Jones the other day).

I’m pleasantly surprised to see Bibbs on the practice squad. Everyone who reads this blog knows how much of a fan I was of his, but I didn’t think the team was interested considering his lack of preseason reps and the fact that he was part of the team’s first round of roster cuts.

Liedtke has had some work at guard and center for the Chiefs and Jets.