Browns add DE Jalen Jelks and K Matthew McCrane to practice squad

On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns announced that they have signed DE Jalen Jelks and K Matthew McCrane to the practice squad. The team previously had 15 out of 16 slots filled, so to make room for the extra player, DT Tanzel Smart was released from the practice squad.

Although Cody Parkey is currently the Browns’ kicker, the position is a week-by-week thing, considering Austin Seibert was waived after his poor outing in Week 1. Parkey was a perfect 5-of-5 on extra points last week, but the team did not attempt any field goals.

McCrane (5-10, 165 lbs) bounced between three NFL teams in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. He was 8-of-12 on field goals with Pittsburgh that year, missing on both of his attempts from beyond 50 yards. He was drafted to the XFL in late-2019, making all 10 field goals for the New York Guardians, but that league suspended operations due to the pandemic.

Jelks (6-5, 250 lbs) was a 7th round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2019, but he spent all season on injured reserve. Jelks was with the Carolina Panthers during training camp this year, but did not make their final roster.