Who Should I Start? Justin Hardee or Damiere Byrd

Tuesday, April 2, 4:30 PM

Free-agent cornerback and special teams ace Justin Hardee is signing with the Cleveland Browns, as reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The 30-year-old was originally undrafted out of Illinois in the 2017 class and has appeared in 100 games through his first seven professional seasons. Hardee spent the first four seasons of his career with the New Orleans Saints before a three-year stint with the New York Jets. He earned Pro Bowl honors for his work on special teams in 2022, which is likely where the Browns are primarily interested in utilizing him. Hardee has racked up 78 tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception thus far in his career.

Wednesday, January 17, 12:31 PM

The Houston Texans signed free-agent veteran wide receiver Damiere Byrd to their practice squad on Wednesday. Byrd was released from the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad in late November after playing in just one game for the team in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings, when he failed to catch either of his two targets while playing 19 offensive snaps. In 14 games for the Falcons in 2022, he caught 13 of his 23 targets for 268 yards and two touchdowns. The 30-year-old will give the Texans some extra receiver depth for their Divisional Round game this Saturday after they placed Noah Brown (shoulder) on Injured Reserve earlier in the week. Byrd has played in 76 NFL games (28 starts) over eight seasons and has 130 catches for 1,689 yards and seven touchdowns in his career.