Who Should I Start? Pierre Strong Jr. or Gary Brightwell

Monday, August 11, 8:38 PM

Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (undisclosed) returned to practice as a limited participant on Monday. Strong had been down with an undisclosed injury. After appearing in 14 games and rushing for 108 yards on 26 carries last year, Strong is competing for a backup role this summer. He's currently third on the Browns' unofficial depth chart behind Jerome Ford and rookie fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson. The team also has rookie second-rounder Quinshon Judkins, who remains without a contract as he deals with an ongoing misdemeanor battery/domestic violence case. The longer Judkins is away, the more opportunities Strong should receive. Strong didn't play in the Browns' 30-10 preseason-opening win in Carolina last week, and it's unclear if he'll suit up against the Philadelphia Eagles this Saturday.

Tuesday, October 29, 2:51 PM

The Cleveland Browns are releasing running back Gary Brightwell from the practice squad on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. The 2021 sixth-round pick out of Arizona spent the first three seasons of his career with the New York Giants before joining Cleveland's roster this year. He played in two games in 2024 but did not log a carry or reception. Overall, the 26-year-old has rushed 41 times for 164 yards and one touchdown in 37 career games.