Late Wednesday Night: Browns add another DT to DL

For the second time this week, the Cleveland Browns make a move for an interior defensive lineman late at night. On Monday night the team added former Vikings defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, and on Wednesday night it gave him some more help on the inside by signing Maurice Hurst to a one-year deal.

Hurst was drafted by the Raiders in the 5th round of the 2018 draft, and had a promising rookie campaign. However, his career since has been marred by injury. After three years with the Raiders, he moved to San Francisco where he only played in two games in 2021 due to calf and ankle injuries, and missed all of 2022 due to a torn triceps.

Brad Stainbrook of The OBR was the first to report the signing:

Coming out of college, Hurst was considered a late first-round, early second-round prospect. As a 3-technique that can shoot gaps, Hurst’s burst was impressive. In four years at Michigan, he had 13.5 sacks and 32 tackles for loss.

Unfortunately for Hurst’s draft stock, a heart condition found at the NFL combine led to a big fall on draft night. As noted, health has been an issue for Hurst at the NFL level but he has been cleared to play after the initial heart concern.

In the four seasons he played, he’s tallied 8 career sacks and 78 total tackles.

At this point, Hurst probably isn’t going to be relied upon as much more than interior depth but that is undoubtedly an area of the team where veteran depth is welcome. He will likely compete for a roster spot during training camp.