Johnny Stanton

Cleveland Browns
Running Back #48
Cleveland Browns
Running Back #48

Johnny Stanton News

Let go by Cleveland

The Browns waived Stanton on Tuesday, Anthony Poisal of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Stanton appeared in four games for Cleveland during the 2021 campaign, rushing three times for five yards while hauling in both of his targets for seven yards and a score. If he clears waivers, it's possible the Browns opt to bring him back via another practice squad deal.

Aug 30, 2022 12:26 PM EST


Lone FB on roster

Stanton is the lone fullback on the Browns' roster after the team declined an option on Andy Janovich's contract.

Analysis: The Janovich decision means he'll become an unrestricted free agent when the new NFL year begins March 16. As important as the running game is to Cleveland's offense, expect the team to add fullbacks during the offseason to compete with Stanton as a lead blocker for Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Mar 8, 2022 5:08 AM EST



Staying in Cleveland

The Browns signed Stanton to a reserve/future contract Monday.

Analysis: Stanton appeared in four games for Cleveland during the 2021 campaign and rushed three times for five yards while hauling in both of his targets for seven yards and a touchdown. He spent most of the year on the practice squad but will now remain with the Browns heading into the offseason.

Jan 10, 2022 2:13 PM EST


Restored from COVID-19 list

The Browns restored Stanton from their practice squad/COVID-19 list Tuesday.

Analysis: Stanton spent just over a week away from the team after landing in health and safety protocols. The 27-year-old fullback has made four appearances for the Browns this season, but now that their running back room is relatively healthy, he will likely be relegated to practice squad duties.

Dec 7, 2021 12:38 PM EST


Placed on COVID-19 list

Stanton has been placed on the practice squad's reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.

Analysis: Stanton was called upon to provide depth to the running back position earlier this season, but he's now back on the practice squad and is also expected to be held out of practices on a short-term basis. The Browns are on a bye this week, though, and their next game will be against the Ravens on Dec. 12.

Nov 29, 2021 5:56 PM EST



Reverts to practice squad

Stanton was reverted to the Browns' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Analysis: Stanton was called upon to provide depth to the Browns' backfield with Nick Chubb, Demetric Felton and John Kelly all on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Kareem Hunt has also been out with a calf injury. Depending on who is available for the Browns in Week 11, Stanton may get another shot on the active roster.

Nov 15, 2021 4:35 PM EST


Active for Week 10

Stanton had one carry for zero yards in Sunday's 45-7 loss to New England.

Analysis: Stanton was elevated to the active roster amid a COVID-19 outbreak in the running back room. His lone carry came on the first series -- the Browns' lone scoring drive -- when he took a direct snap at the 2-yard line and was snuffed out by the Patriots' defense. That was Stanton's only snap on offense. Stanton's presence on the active roster depends on the health and availability of Nick Chubb (illness), Demetric Felton (illness), Kareem Hunt (calf) and John Kelly (illness).

Nov 15, 2021 4:11 AM EST


Rejoins practice squad

Stanton was signed to the Browns' practice squad Thursday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Analysis: Stanton was waived by the Browns on Tuesday but will remain in the organization after clearing waivers. He had a minimal role while filling in for Andy Janovich (hamstring) across the last few weeks.

Nov 4, 2021 9:34 AM EST


Waived by Cleveland

Stanton was waived by the Browns on Tuesday, source reports.

Analysis: Assuming he clears waivers, Stanton is expected to rejoin Cleveland as a member of the practice squad. The fullback had been filling in for Andy Janovich (hamstring) and scored his first career touchdown during the Browns' Week 7 win over the Broncos. Janovich is eligible to return from injured reserve ahead of Week 9, so waiving Stanton may suggest that he will be available for Sunday's matchup against the Bengals.

Nov 2, 2021 11:46 AM EST


Questionable with calf injury

Stanton (calf) was a late addition to the injury report heading into Sunday's game against the Steelers after being limited in practice Friday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Analysis: Stanton evidently sustained the injury during practice, as he wasn't on the injury report Wednesday or Thursday. The fullback scored the first touchdown of his career in last Thursday's win over Denver, and Stanton will continue to fill in for the injured Andy Janovich (hamstring) if Stanton's own injury doesn't keep him from suiting up.

Oct 29, 2021 12:00 PM EST


Scores first career TD

Stanton had two carries for five yards and caught his only target for a one-yard touchdown in Thursday's 17-14 win over Denver.

Analysis: Stanton hauled in his first career touchdown, finishing off a 13-play drive that quarterback Case Keenum kept alive with a fourth-down scramble immediately prior to Stanton's score. It was the second touchdown catch by a Cleveland fullback in 2021. He's filling in for the injured Andy Janovich (hamstring), who is on injured reserve and will miss at least one more game.

Oct 22, 2021 3:30 AM EST


Active for first time in 2021

Stanton caught his lone target for six yards in Sunday's 37-14 loss to Arizona.

Analysis: Stanton replaced the injured Andy Janovich (hamstring) on the active roster for Week 6. It was his first action, and he played just two snaps. The Browns typically don't use a fullback for anything other than blocking, but Stanton has an added wrinkle of being used at tight end during the preseason.

Oct 18, 2021 6:03 AM EST


Signed to active roster

The Browns signed Stanton to their active roster from their practice squad Tuesday.

Analysis: Stanton replaced Andy Janovich, who was placed on injured reserve, on the Browns' active roster. The 27-year-old fullback spent the preseason with Cleveland and should get acclimated to the offense quickly. His role will likely be limited to blocking duties for Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb.

Oct 12, 2021 1:33 PM EST


Re-ups in Cleveland

Stanton was signed to the Browns' practice squad Wednesday.

Analysis: Stanton spent the preseason with Cleveland, serving as both a fullback and tight end. In the right circumstance, he could be a useful offensive tool, but if Cleveland's counting on Stanton, its season has gone wrong.

Sep 1, 2021 6:46 PM EST


Used at tight end

Stanton had one carry for a one-yard loss and caught both targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 17-13 win over the Giants in Preseason Week 2.

Analysis: The Browns rested their top three tight ends, leaving them light at the position. Enter Stanton, normally a backup to fullback Andy Janovich, to get reps behind Connor Davis and Jordan Franks. Stanton could serve has a hybrid fullback/tight end, which could be useful for Cleveland after the team lost Stephen Carlson during Preseason Week 1 to what appears to be a season-ending knee injury.

Aug 23, 2021 4:13 AM EST


Agrees to future contract

Stanton signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns on Tuesday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Stanton made his NFL debut in 2020, recording 21 total snaps without a touch. Fellow fullback Andy Janovich is under contract for another season, so Stanton is a long shot to make the roster in 2021.

Jan 19, 2021 11:31 AM EST


Returns to practice squad

Stanton returned to the Browns' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction report.

Analysis: Stanton failed to record a stat across his 12 offensive and nine special teams snaps. Should starting fullback Andy Janovich remain on the reserve/COVID-19 list, look for Stanton to get another start Sunday in Jacksonville.

Nov 23, 2020 7:55 PM EST


Elevated by Browns

Stanton has officially been promoted to the Browns' active roster, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Analysis: Stanton has been called up from the practice squad to fill in for Andy Janovich (reserve/COVID-19 list) at full back and make his NFL debut. He is expected to primarily contribute as a blocker out of the backfield.

Nov 21, 2020 9:57 AM EST


Could be active Week 11

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski mentioned Stanton as a potential replacement for Andy Janovich (reserve/COVID-19 list) in Week 11's game against the Eagles, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Analysis: Janovich was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, but he still has time to pass thresholds and play Sunday. Stefanski mentioned multiple options should Janovich be sidelined. "Without Andy, you have to look at the tight end room, you have to look at potentially elevating (FB) Johnny Stanton (from the practice squad) and you look at using a halfback there. Those are things that we are talking about doing." Stanton has yet to appear in an NFL game and spent the last two seasons on the roster fringes with the Vikings, where Stefanski became familiar with him.

Nov 18, 2020 7:12 PM EST


Inks deal with Cleveland

Stanton signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns on Tuesday.

Analysis: Stanton spent the part of the 2019 season on the Vikings' practice squad, but he never elevated to the active roster because C.J. Ham stayed healthy. The Browns don't currently have another fullback on their roster, but there's no guarantee they'll retain Stanton for the 2020 campaign.

Jan 28, 2020 12:40 PM EST


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