Cleveland Browns waive Daylen Baldwin, Thomas Graham Jr. after Hall of Fame Game injuries
Daylen Baldwin was one of the young bright spots for the Browns during the first week-and-a-half of training camp. However, the second-year pro was waived with an injury designation on Friday after suffering a significant hamstring injury in the preseason opener.
Baldwin left Thursday's Hall of Fame Game win over the New York Jets in the first half. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said earlier on a Friday afternoon Zoom call it was a "significant injury."
"It's not fun," Stefanski said Friday afternoon. "We watch these guys, we get to watch all the work that they put in the weight room, in the meeting room, on the practice field, you name it. Daylen's a guy that's been very diligent in this building. He's the guy that all throughout the month of June when I popped my head in here, he happened to be in that weight room. So it's a very unfortunate part of our game, but he'll bounce back. I have no doubt about that."
Baldwin was originally signed by the Browns last August to their practice squad. However, he was moved to the active roster in December, when he made his NFL debut in a Dec. 17 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Baldwin had two catches for 25 yards against the Ravens. This training camp, he had built on that limited experience by being one of the more consistent performers in practice, both over the course of the eight workouts in West Virginia and the one the Browns have had in Berea.
Baldwin was targeted once against the Jets in Canton.
"I feel for the kid," Stefanski said. "He's done so many good things for us over these months. We'll add some players here over the next couple days."
The Browns receiving corps is already down Marquise Goodwin, who is on the non-football illness list with blood clots. Jaelon Darden has missed the last couple of practices with a leg injury, and Jakeem Grant Sr. continues to progress in his recovery from a torn Achilles suffered last August.
Cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. waived after suffering ankle injury
Baldwin was one of two players waived by the Browns with an injury designation after they sustained injuries in the Hall of Fame Game. Cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. also was waived after suffering an ankle injury against the Jets.
Graham had started the game opposite A.J. Green at cornerback, with Denzel Ward, Newsome and Martin Emerson Jr. all getting the night off. The former University of Oregon product was signed last fall off the Chicago Bears' practice squad, appearing in seven games for the Browns.
Cleveland Browns add five, waive three others
Baldwin and Graham were two of five players waived by the Browns on Friday, but the only two with an injury designation. They also waived punter Joseph Charlton, running back Nate McCrary and offensive tackle Hunter Thedford.
The Browns did sign three players on Friday and two more Saturday, including bringing back tight end Miller Forristall, who had been on the practice squad last year. They also signed linebacker Cam Bright and tight end Jalen Wayne on Friday.
Bright is a University of Washington product who was previously with the Seattle Seahawks. Wayne is a University of South Alabama product who was previously with the Buffalo Bills this offseason.
On Saturday, the Browns signed cornerback Gavin Heslop and offensive tackle Derrick Kelly II.
Heslop was originally signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and has played in three career games. Kelly was originally signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2019, he’s played in seven career games between the Saints (2020) and the New York Giants (2021).
Greg Newsome II battling groin injury suffered in practice
Greg Newsome II left Tuesday's practice for, at the time, unknown reasons. Stefanski stated Friday the third-year cornerback is battling through a groin injury.
Stefanski said Newsome will continue to rehab the injury. The Browns next hold an open training camp practice on Sunday.
Rookie Cameron Mitchell catching on at cornerback
On the positive side, rookie fifth-round pick Cameron Mitchell has continued to catch the coaching staff's eye at cornerback. Mitchell had a key pass break-up on a third-quarter fourth down at the Browns 31 on Thursday night.
"Cam's done a nice job," Stefanski said. "He's definitely made some plays on the ball, which is great. He's a very conscientious kid. [He] knows that he's got to be working hard both on defense and on specials teams. I think he's somebody that just keeps [continuing] to come along."
Cade York's latest miss not 'majorly concerning'
Cade York missed the only field goal he tried during Thursday's win over the Jets, a 49-yard kick on the opening drive that went wide right. York came back to make all three point-after tries.
After York's struggles at times during his rookie season, Stefanski was asked if the miss was cause for concern.
"I think I see it very similar to all of our players," Stefanski said. "I think it's the preseason, it's time to work, it's time to gain valuable experience both in practice and in the games. But past that, I don't know that it's anything for the future that is majorly concerning. He's a young player that's working, and I know he is going to continue to work."
Kevin Stefanski quick hits on Austin Watkins, Tony Fields II and plans for the Washington Commanders game
On receiver Austin Watkins, who was signed from the USFL on July 22 and caught a 22-yard touchdown vs. the Jets: "You go from playing football right into playing football and you haven't been on the street for a couple years or a couple weeks, whatever it may be. So I think he's certainly in playing shape and his playing speed has been good. He's been impressive in the moments that he's had with us and the game reps and now and then practice reps. He's done a nice job."
On linebacker Tony Fields II, who had a team-high six tackles on 34 defensive snaps: "Tony, again, has played meaningful reps for us over the years and continues to grow. I think played some really good reps last night, plays fast, plays physical. Somebody that we feel continues to get better with reps, and that's really what the preseason is all about."
On the plans for playing time for next Friday's preseason home game against the Washington Commanders: "Obviously, as we go into this first game or this second game, however you're accounting it, we'll always stick to what we're trying to get done in terms of the amount of reps that guys need to get ready for (the regular-season opener) Sept. 10. So I'll fill you guys in on that as we go. But really the focus for us is we got a nice three-day block here of practices in Berea and then we'll start turning our attention to Washington later in the week.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Daylen Baldwin, Thomas Graham Jr. waived by Browns after injuries
