The Cleveland Browns were forced to make a few roster moves due to the injury to running back Dylan Sampson (knee). The second-year running back was placed on the reserve/injured list Tuesday with a designation to return, while running back Jaleel McLaughlin was signed to the 53-man roster. But, that’s not all the Browns did Tuesday.
The Browns also signed running back Eric Gray, formerly of the New York Giants, to the practice squad, as the organization looks for some depth behind the three healthy running backs on the 53-man roster.
Browns add Four to Practice Squad, Drop two
Gray, the 26-year-old running back spent parts of three NFL seasons with the New York Giants. He was drafted in the fifth round out of the University of Oklahoma in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Giants, No. 172 overall.
Gray carried 17 times for 48 yards in 13 seasons in 2023, while going for 31 rushing yards on 14 carries across 17 games in 2024, spending most of his time on special teams. In 2024, he had 21 kickoff returns for 554 yards, which is an average of 26.4 yards per return. As such, he could be a candidate to be promoted, as Sampson was used on kickoff returns prior to his injury.
Kick returns are something McLaughlin doesn’t do, and if the team decided Gray can do a better job than running back Raheim Sanders, who filled in for Sampson in Week 1, then Sanders could be among the inactives, while Gray makes his team debut sooner rather than later.
International Player Eze Added to Practice Squad by Browns
In addition to Gray, the team signed offensive tackle Obinna Eze, while re-signing Wes Pahl and offensive tackle Xavier Truss. The team released cornerback D’Angelo Ross and defensive tackle Chris Williams from the practice squad in a corresponding move.
According to clevelandbrowns.com, Eze would count on the roster as part of the International Player Pathway Program. He is a native of Nigeria, and he has spent time on the practice squad of the Detroit Lions in 2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, and the New York Jets for part of 2023 and 2024.
Pahl was brought back after spending time in training camp and the preseason with the Browns, while Truss spent time with the Denver Broncos in 2025, while appearing in seven NFL games with the New Orleans Saints.
Cleveland Browns Essentials
- Every QB Drafted by the Browns
- 5 Best Browns Quarterbacks of All Time
- 5 Best Browns Running Backs of All Time
- 5 Best Browns Wide Receivers of All Time
- NFL’s Richest Owners: Where Does Jimmy Haslam Rank?
