Browns Cut Ties With Veteran Receiver During Camp

The Cleveland Browns waived veteran wide receiver Michael Woods II on Wednesday, creating some additional space on their wide receiver depth chart.

The Browns announced that they waived Woods with an injury designation. He injured his hand on the first day of camp and had not practiced since. Woods has spent his entire career with the Browns. He was a sixth-round pick in 2022 out of Oklahoma.

Woods collected 12 catches for 110 yards over 15 career games with the Browns. He missed all of the 2023 season after suffering an Achilles injury while working out with Deshaun Watson before the season.

Woods was waived last season but rejoined the practice squad. He was brought up to the active roster in December and appeared in five games with two starts.

Woods’ time with the Browns might not be over just yet. If he goes unclaimed on waivers, he would revert to Cleveland’s injured reserve list and miss the 2025 season. The Browns could also reach an injury settlement with Woods, allowing him to re-sign with the team later.

Browns Previously Praised Mike Woods

Earlier in the week, Browns receivers coach Chad O’Shea praised Woods, saying he viewed him as a valuable member of the unit.

“Mike Woods is a player that has a multiple position value and the reason he brings that is because he’s got very strong mental, he’s also got a physical skill set where we can put him in multiple positions along the formation,” O’Shea said. “The more you can do, the more value you’re going to have for this football team. And Mike, along with a lot of players in our receiver room, the young guys included, have done a great job of establishing a role based on their ability to play in a multiple position role.”

Behind Jerry Jeudy, the competition at wide receiver is pretty wide open. That group includes Cedric Tillman, former Pro Bowler Diontae Johnson, DeAndre Carter, David Bell, Gage Larvadain, Jamari Thrash, Luke Floriea and Kaden Davis.

Jeudy is willing to do what he can to help the youthful group.

“I do the best I can to respond and answer the questions that the young guys need help with,” Jeudy said during training camp. “I’m always a helping hand to all the younger guys, to the guys that, even the old vets that come and ask me questions about how I run certain routes and how I do this. I’m always doing whatever to help the team grow and get better.”

Browns Also Place Martin Emerson on Injured Reserve

In addition to waiving Woods, the Browns also placed cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. on injured reserve. Emerson suffered a torn Achilles during training camp on Tuesday. He will miss the season.

Emerson, 24, is entering the final year of his rookie deal after being selected in the third round of the 2022 draft. He emerged as a starter opposite Denzel Ward and has played a key role in Cleveland’s secondary.

With Emerson out, the Browns will likely shift former first-round pick Greg Newsome to the outside, opposite Ward. Cam Mitchell is a strong candidate to take over the nickel role.