Punt return specialist James Proche II returns for Cleveland Browns on 1-year deal
The Browns have another one of their own free agents under wraps.
Wide receiver/punt return man James Proche II received a new one-year deal from the Browns. The team also announced previously-reported agreements with cornerback/special teams ace Tony Brown II and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson.
Proche, 27, was originally signed to the Browns' practice squad on Oct. 31, and was elevated to the gameday roster the following Sunday for the Week 9 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He was eventually signed to the active roster on Nov. 7, ahead of Cleveland's Week 10 game at his former team, the Baltimore Ravens.
Over 10 regular-season and one playoff game with the Browns last season, Proche did not have a catch on five targets. Receiver, though, wasn't where he was most effective.
Proche became the Browns' full-time punt returner after they traded away Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Detroit Lions at the trade deadline. He finished with 22 returns in the regular season for an average of nine yards a return, plus one return in the playoff loss at the Houston Texans.
A sixth-round pick out of SMU by the Ravens, Proche has averaged 8.6 yards on 49 career regular-season punt returns. He's returned three career kicks for a 13.7-yard average, including a 19-yard return on his lone kick return for the Browns.
Proche has 25 career catches for 278 yards.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: James Proche II returns to Cleveland Browns on 1-year deal
