The Browns signed Darden to the practice squad Tuesday. Darden worked as Cleveland's top returner Week 1, and he now reunites with the team as a member of the practice squad. With wide receiver David Bell (hip) having suffered a season-ending hip injury, Darden could get an opportunity to bump up to the active roster and contribute as early as Sunday versus the Giants.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Jaelon Darden news
Team
Cleveland Browns
Birthdate
1/14/1999 (25)
Status
Practice Squad
HT/WT
5'8", 175 lbs
Draft Info
2021: Rd 4; Pk (TB)
Birthplace
Houston, TX, USA
Position
WR
College
North Texas
Experience
3 seasons
Career History
Cleveland Browns
2022-Present
(3 seasons)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2021-2022
(2 seasons)
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The Browns signed Darden to the practice squad Tuesday. Darden worked as Cleveland's top returner Week 1, and he now reunites with the team as a member of the practice squad. With wide receiver David Bell (hip) having suffered a season-ending hip injury, Darden could get an opportunity to bump up to the active roster and contribute as early as Sunday versus the Giants.
The Browns cut Darden on Saturday, Brad Stainbrook of 247Sports.com reports. Darden's spot on the 53-man roster will be filled by fellow wideout James Proche.Darden, a 2021 fourth-round pick, returned five punts for 72 yards and four kickoffs for 97 yards in Week 1, but the Browns have opted not to stick with him as the primary return man. Pierre Strong and Jerome Ford could work on kick returns instead, while Elijah Moore looks like the top candidate to return punts versus Jacksonville on Sunday.
Darden returned five punts for 72 yards and four kickoffs for 97 yards in Sunday's 33-17 loss to Dallas in Week 1. He did not play on offense. Darden, who was signed to the roster Saturday as a replacement for the waived David Bell, became the team's primary returner for all kicks. His addition paid early dividends when his 28-yard punt return in the first quarter led to a field goal, giving Cleveland its only lead of the game. Darden has been with the organization since the Browns claimed him late in the 2022 season but has appeared in only four games. The NFL's rule changes to inject new life into kickoff returns could make Darden a fixture on the game-day roster in 2024, however.
Darden signed a contract with the Browns on Saturday,. Darden will replace David Bell, who was waived earlier this week. A fourth-round pick by the Buccaneers back in 2021, Darden projects to be the team's top punt returner and could operate as one of the team's kick returners too, but he'll be hard-pressed to see offensive snaps due to numerous players being above him on the wide receiver depth chart.
The Browns signed Darden to the practice squad Wednesday. The 2021 fourth-round pick finished the preseason with four catches (on eight targets) for 70 yards. He spent most of 2023 with the Browns' practice squad, and he will reprise that role for the upcoming season.
The Browns waived Darden on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. A fourth-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2021, Darden was claimed off waivers by Cleveland in December of 2022 and bounced back and forth from the practice squad last season. This preseason, Darden caught four passes for 70 scoreless yards. He'll look for an opportunity elsewhere but could be a candidate for the practice squad again.
Darden caught two-of-four targets for 21 yards in Saturday's preseason game against Minnesota. He also returned two punts for 16 yards and one kickoff for 29 yards. All of Darden's activity as a receiver occurred during the second half. If he's to stick with the team, it will likely be as a returner. Darden has returned both punts and kickoffs in each of the first two preseason games.