Cleveland Browns sign running back Brandon Wilds
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns made a minor roster move by bringing in running back Brandon Wilds, who was released earlier in the week by the New York Jets.
The Cleveland Browns made a roster move on Friday by signing running back Brandon Wilds.
In a corresponding move, the club released running back George Atkinson III.
The club announced the moves on the team website.
Wilds rushed for 1,844 yards and 13 touchdowns during his collegiate career with South Carolina. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2016, before finding his way to the New York Jets, where he appeared in four games and rushed 10 times for 27 yards, while adding two catches for 20 yards.
Browns fans may be familiar with Wilds from this touchdown run against Cleveland in the 2016 preseason.
Wilds may be more well known, at least according to TMZ Sports, for reportedly dating Christina Milan, a singer and actress.
During his time with the Falcons, Wilds was earning some talk that he could earn a roster spot as the team’s third running back and a special teams contributor. But he suffered a minor knee injury in a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, and rather than put him on injured reserve the Falcons released him in the final roster cut down.
Wilds time in New York came to an end earlier this week when the Jets waived him after they claimed running back Marcus Murphy off waivers from the New Orleans Saints.
In Cleveland, Wilds faces the same situation he did last year with the Falcons. Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson are the top two running backs, so opportunities to show what he can do in the backfield will be limited for Wilds. But there should be a chance for him to make an impression in the return game.
Next: PFF ranks Browns backfield in the middle
Last season Atkinson played in all 16 games for the Browns after being signed prior to the season. He returned eight kickoffs for 137 yards, so if Wilds can show something in the return game it won’t be that difficult to surpass what Atkinson gave the Browns.