Browns release Devaroe Lawrence

The Cleveland Browns released defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence on Tuesday.

The team made the move to open up a roster spot for defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, who is returning from a one-game suspension for his role in the November 14 fight with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It is a bit of a minor surprise as Lawrence has played in all 11 games this season while making two starts. He posted eight tackles and had an interception and a fumble recovery.

Lawrence played 28 snaps on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins while Ogunjobi served his suspension, but a look at the rest of the defensive line’s breakdown from Sunday may help explain Lawrence’s release.

Eli Ankou, who was signed off the practice squad of the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 22, played 35 snaps, while Brandin Bryant, who was just promoted from the practice squad on Friday, was on the field for 22 snaps. Ankou and Bryant apparently showed the coaching staff enough that Lawrence was deemed expendable.

The Browns originally acquired Lawrence from the New Orleans Saints right before the start of the 2018 season in exchange for a seventh-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Lawrence finishes his time in Cleveland having played in 12 games.