Browns Shake Up Roster After Costly Loss to Steelers
BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns are making waves this week, and not in the way fans were hoping. On Tuesday, the team announced a series of roster moves, headlined by the decision to waive wide receiver Kadarius Toney. This comes after Toney’s performance in the Browns’ 27-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game that officially knocked Cleveland out of playoff contention.
Toney, who had been elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for the game, had a night to forget. Early in the fourth quarter, with the Browns trailing 27-7, Toney was flagged for a 15-yard taunting penalty after catching a punt. Later, he muffed another punt, which the Steelers recovered, further sealing Cleveland’s fate. The mistakes proved costly, and it seems unlikely that Toney will return to the Browns’ practice squad.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t mince words after the game, stating that the penalty would be “addressed.” Unfortunately for Toney, it appears the team’s decision to waive him was the ultimate resolution.
Injuries Continue to Plague the Browns
As if the loss to Pittsburgh wasn’t enough, the Browns also announced that cornerback Greg Newsome II has been placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. This marks the end of Newsome’s season, a tough blow for a player who has already battled significant setbacks. Stefanski confirmed that it’s the same hamstring Newsome had surgery on last summer, which had forced him to start training camp on the non-football injury list.
With Newsome sidelined, the Browns’ secondary takes another hit in what has been a challenging season for the team. Injuries have been a recurring theme, and this latest development only adds to the frustration for Cleveland fans.
New Faces Join the Practice Squad
In response to these roster changes, the Browns have added several players to their practice squad. The team signed wide receivers Kaden Davis and Jaelen Gill, kicker Riley Patterson, and offensive tackle Julian Pearl. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour was released from the practice squad.
The addition of Patterson is particularly noteworthy, as it comes just days after kicker Dustin Hopkins missed two field goals in the loss to Pittsburgh. Hopkins, who signed a three-year extension in July, currently leads the NFL with nine missed field goal attempts this season. Despite his struggles, Stefanski expressed confidence in Hopkins, saying, “We will work through this with Dustin. This is something that I know he can get through. We’ll get through it together. He’s a veteran. He’s been through a lot in his career already, and this is something we’ll continue to work through.”
For Patterson, this marks a return to Cleveland, where he kicked in three games last season, including the Browns’ wild-card loss to the Houston Texans. With Hopkins struggling, Patterson’s presence on the practice squad could signal a potential shake-up at the kicker position if things don’t improve.
What’s Next for the Browns?
With the playoffs officially out of reach, the Browns are now in evaluation mode. The team’s recent moves suggest a focus on building for the future while addressing immediate needs. However, the loss to Pittsburgh and the subsequent roster changes highlight the challenges Cleveland has faced this season, from injuries to inconsistent performances.
Here’s a quick recap of the Browns’ latest roster moves:
- Waived WR Kadarius Toney
- Placed CB Greg Newsome II on injured reserve
- Signed WRs Kaden Davis and Jaelen Gill, K Riley Patterson, and OT Julian Pearl to the practice squad
- Released DT Michael Dwumfour from the practice squad
As the Browns look ahead to the offseason, fans will be watching closely to see how the team addresses its roster needs and prepares for a more successful 2025 campaign. For now, though, the focus remains on finishing the season strong and evaluating the talent on hand.
Originally Written by: Jake Trotter
