Cleveland Browns Cut Two Rookies for Failing to Meet Team’s Standards and Culture

The Cleveland Browns have waived wide receiver Winston Wright, just over a week after signing him.

Wright was added to the roster on July 25 to provide depth at wide receiver. He went undrafted out of East Carolina and previously spent time at West Virginia and Florida State. Over 49 career college games, he totaled 187 receptions for 1,930 yards and 18 touchdowns.

After a handful of training camp practices, the Browns opted to move in a different direction and open up a roster spot.

The team also waived fullback Troy Hairston, who had signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns in January. Hairston converted from linebacker to fullback after making it to the NFL. He was the MAC co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2020.

The Browns did add a new player, claiming offensive tackle Kilian Zierer on waivers. Zierer has never appeared in a game, but the Munich-native has the physical tools to be successful. Zierer came through the International Player Pathway Program with the Houston Texans and was recently waived by the Atlanta Falcons. He’s 6-foot-7 and 312 pounds. He played his college football at Auburn, where he logged 16 starts.

Browns Have Made Multiple Roster Moves

The Browns have made a flurry of roster moves this week to address injuries and add depth at key positions.

Earlier in the week, Cleveland signed wide receiver Chase Cota and cornerback Keenan Isaac following two notable departures. The Browns waived veteran receiver Mike Woods with an injury designation and placed starting cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. on injured reserve with a season-ending Achilles injury.

Cota entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Lions in 2023 and has since spent time on the practice squads of the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans.

Isaac, now in his second NFL season out of Alabama State, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He has appeared in seven career games, including five last season with the Bucs. In 2025, he also saw action with the Houston Roughnecks of the UFL.

Cleveland also bolstered its offensive line, signing center Bucky Williams and claiming offensive tackle Sebastian Gutierrez off waivers. Gutierrez previously spent time on the Browns’ practice squad.

Browns Have Uncertainty at Wide Receiver

The Browns quarterback competition is getting all of the headlines. However, the team is also looking to establish some depth at wide receiver.

Jerry Jeudy is the No. 1 option, but beyond him, there is little certainty. Cleveland is hoping that Cedric Tillman can step up and be an impact player. Former Pro Bowler Diontae Johnson has also made a strong impression in camp after signing a one-year $1.17 million veteran minimum contract this offseason with no guarantees.

Jamari Thrash, Luke Floriea and Gage Larvadain are some of the younger players who have made a case for a roster spot during camp. Jeudy has been happy to lend a helping hand to the younger receivers.

“I do the best I can to respond and answer the questions that the young guys need help with,” Jeudy said. “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.”

The Browns’ first preseason game is on August 8 against the Carolina Panthers.