Rashard Higgins
FILE - Cleveland Browns wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) catches a pass in front of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Luq Barcoo (36) during the first half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., in this Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, file photo. The Cleveland Browns signed restricted free agent wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, one of their top special teams players. The team had placed a tender worth $2.33 million on Hodge. The 26-year-old Hodge appeared in nine games last season with Cleveland, making 11 catches for 180 yards. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Browns sign restricted free agent Hodge, special teams star

By Tom Withers May. 27, 2021 02:58 PM EDT

Improved Browns may add more defensive pieces in NFL draft

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2021 01:15 PM EDT
26. CLEVELAND BROWNS (12-6) LAST SEASON: First-year coach Kevin Stefanski side-stepped numerous obstacles related to the COVID-19 pandemic...

FILE - Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins warms up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland, in this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo. Rashard Higgins moved on from his critical game-swinging play. He couldn't leave the Browns. Higgins recently turned down more money in free agency from other teams and signed a one-year, $2.3 million contract to stay with Cleveland. "I knew where I wanted to be,” the wide receiver said Friday, March 26, 2021, on a Zoom call while sitting in his car at the team's facility in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Return man: WR Higgins ready to 'run it back' with Browns

By Tom Withers Mar. 26, 2021 02:45 PM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins celebrates after the team defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game in Cleveland, in this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo. On Wednesday night, March 17, 2021, the Browns reached agreement with wide receiver Rashard Higgins on a one-year, $2.3 million deal. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
AP source: Browns agree to terms with former Rams CB Hill

By Tom Withers Mar. 18, 2021 02:30 PM EDT

FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 26, 2020 file photo, Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III, right, breaks up a pass intended for Chicago Bears wide receiver Anthony Miller during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif. The Cleveland Browns made their agreement with free agent John Johnson III official on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 adding the safety to a secondary that was ravaged by injuries in 2020 and lacked a seasoned leader.(AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo, File)
Browns bolster secondary, officially add safety Johnson

By Tom Withers Mar. 17, 2021 05:32 PM EDT

Browns expected to upgrade shaky defense in free agency

By The Associated Press Mar. 12, 2021 05:54 PM EST
CLEVELAND BROWNS (12-6) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE Olivier Vernon, WRs Rashard Higgins and Taywan Taylor, CBs Terrance Mitchell and Kevin...

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) call signals against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Analysis: Backup QBs saw plenty of action in NFL playoffs

By Arnie Stapleton Jan. 19, 2021 02:48 AM EST

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the second half of an NFL divisional round football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Browns, Mayfield expecting to build upon 2020 successes

By Tom Withers Jan. 18, 2021 06:44 PM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass during the second half of an NFL divisional round football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. The Chiefs won 22-17. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Browns' comeback comes up short, fall to Chiefs in playoffs

By Tom Withers Jan. 17, 2021 08:50 PM EST

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees waves to his family and fans after an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in New Orleans. The Buccaneers won 30-20. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brady vs Rodgers, possibly Mahomes vs. Allen in title games

By Josh Dubow Jan. 17, 2021 06:49 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chad Henne celebrates after a run during the second half of an NFL divisional round football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
After losing Mahomes, Chiefs and Henne hold off Browns 22-17

By Dave Skretta Jan. 17, 2021 06:27 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes walks on the field before an NFL divisional round football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs 1/17/2021

Jan. 17, 2021 01:56 PM EST

Cleveland Browns strong safety Karl Joseph (42) recovers a fumbled in the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021.(AP Photo/Don Wright)
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers 1/10/2021

Jan. 10, 2021 08:38 PM EST

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks on from the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Pittsburgh. Positive COVID-19 tests have knocked Stefanski out of Cleveland's wild-card game at Pittsburgh on Sunday night — the Browns' first playoff appearance since the 2002 season. (AP Photo/Justin Berl, File)
Browns' Stefanski: 'We've got to find a way' vs Steelers

By Tom Withers Jan. 06, 2021 12:53 PM EST

Cleveland Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon is helped off the field after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Browns place Vernon on IR, 2 players cited for drag racing

By Tom Withers Jan. 05, 2021 04:51 PM EST

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) breaks a tackle from Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) for a 47-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns 1/3/2021

Jan. 03, 2021 01:28 PM EST

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski keeps watch before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland. After days of positive COVID-19 tests, disruptions and delays, the Browns found some normalcy and got to re-open their facility on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, to resume getting ready to play the Pittsburgh Steelers and possibly end a postseason drought stretching back to 2002.(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Browns lose another defender, CB Johnson added to COVID list

By Tom Withers Jan. 02, 2021 03:15 PM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Browns lose CB Ward for Steelers game after positive test

By Tom Withers Dec. 31, 2020 10:55 AM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 23-16. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Mayfield: Browns 'in our playoffs, just one week early'

By Tom Withers Dec. 30, 2020 01:29 PM EST

FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 file photo, Cleveland Browns strong safety Andrew Sendejo (23) tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) after a pass reception during the second half of an NFL football game in Cleveland. The Cleveland Browns added starting safety Andrew Sendejo and rookie tight end Harrison Bryant to their lengthy COVID-19 list, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Browns add 3 more players to crowded COVID-19 reserve list

By Tom Withers Dec. 29, 2020 05:45 PM EST