Browns sign a linebacker off a practice squad in wake of injuries, and try out tight ends to help fill in for David Njoku
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns signed linebacker Khaleke Hudson off the Saints practice squad Tuesday in the wake of injuries at the position.
Hudson (6-foot-0, 220 pounds), was originally a fifth-round pick of the Commanders in 2020 out of Michigan and spent the first four seasons of his career there, notching 108 tackles, one sack and two passes defensed.
The 2024 NFL season opener wasn’t the only thing that the Cleveland Browns lost in Week 1. Not only did they fall 33-17 to the Dallas Cowboys on their home turf, but the Browns also lost starting tight end David Njoku to an ankle injury. With Njoku likely sidelined for the next few weeks, the Browns are doing what they can to improve their tight end depth in the meantime. As a result, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is reporting that the franchise is working out veteran TEs Irv Smith Jr., Geoff Swaim and Tommy Sweeney on Tuesday.
“Cleveland was in the market for a tight end before David Nkoju hurt his ankle Week 1,” Fowler posted on Tuesday morning. “Now, it’s a necessity.”
Smith, 26, is a former 2019 second-round pick who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs at the end of August after joining the franchise this offseason. The former Alabama pass-catcher has shown flashes of promise during his four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals, turning 109 catches into 973 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Swaim (30) has more experience than Smith after playing 100 games across four franchises throughout the nine previous seasons. While the ex-Texas Longhorn isn’t the most offensively gifted player, he’s decent at protecting his quarterback, as proven by the 66.6 pass block grade he received from Pro Football Focus last season.
The tryout news also offers Sweeney a chance to resume his career. The former Boston College TE began the 2023 season on the injured reserve after a “medical event” caused him to collapse during New York Giants training camp. Rather than offer Sweeney a chance to bounce back, the Giants released him at the end of November. He went on to sign a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears this offseason only to be released ahead of the 53-man roster deadline.
Having said that, Sweeney only has 165 yards and a touchdown on 18 catches in 24 career games, leaving time to tell if he can capitalize on this opportunity with the Browns. The Browns will have their first taste of life without Njoku when they travel to EverBank Stadium to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Sunday’s Week 2 showdown.
