NFL teams have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to cut their rosters down to 53 players, but the Cleveland Browns have already parted ways with an unlikely fan favorite. According to multiple reports, including one from ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Browns have released wide receiver Austin Watkins Jr.
Signed by Cleveland just ahead of the start of the team's training camp, the 25-year-old Watkins became a standout performer throughout the ensuing preseason. Appearing in all four of the Browns' preseason games, the UAB product led the NFL with 257 receiving yards on 16 catches, including two touchdowns.
Despite his stellar preseason showing, Watkins faced an uphill battle to make Cleveland's 53-man roster -- especially once Marquise Goodwin was activated from the non-football illness list. With Jaelon Darden reportedly having also been released and Anthony Schwartz having been released earlier this week, it appears the Browns will enter the 2023 season with a wide receivers room consisting of Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell, Cedric Tillman and Goodwin, with Michael Woods II likely to be placed on a reserve list as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles.
As for Watkins, the former USFL standout will be subjected to waivers, in which the other 31 NFL teams will have the opportunity to claim his rights. Should he go unclaimed, he would become an unrestricted free agent and have the ability to sign with any team -- including Cleveland, where he would almost assuredly be welcomed back as a member of the Browns' practice squad.