Cleveland Browns Sign Kicker Lucas Havrisik to Reserve/Futures Deal, Two Browns Sign Elsewhere
The Cleveland Browns have signed a familiar face to a reserve/futures contract in kicker Lucas Havrisik.
The Browns have signed a 12th player to a reserve/futures contract with kicker Lucas Havrisik. Havrisik was on the Browns’ practice squad earlier in the season before he eventually signed signed to the Los Angeles Rams active roster.
In Los Angeles, Havrisik played in nine games in 2023. During those games, he was 15-of-20 on field goals and 19-of-22 on extra points. The Rams cut Havrisik on New Years Day after he missed two extra points in their week 17 victory over the New York Giants.
The University of Arizona product originally signed with the Colts’ practice squad in 2022 to compete for the starting job when Bubba Ventrone was their special teams coordinator. However, just six days later, Havrisik was released. He later signed a futures contract with the Colts.
In 2023, Havrisik signed with the Browns practice squad before signing to the active roster of the Rams. Dustin Hopkins, who had an incredible season for the Browns before injury ultimately ended his season, will be the presumed starter next season in Cleveland. Hopkins is under contract until 2025 and Havrisik will likely be a backup option for the Browns.
In related news, the Browns also saw a few of their players sign reserves/futures deals with other teams. Corner A.J. Green III signed with the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday. Green spent four seasons with the Browns after signing as an undrafted rookie in 2020. Between 2021 and 2022, Green appeared in a combined 29 games, starting two of them. He recorded 29 solo tackles, broke up seven passes and recorded two interceptions. In 2023, Green appeared in just three games and spent most of the season on the practice squad.
Safety Tanner McCalister signed a reserves/futures deal with the Denver Broncos. McCalister signed with the Browns after the 2023 draft and competed with his Ohio State teammate and fellow undrafted rookie Ronnie Hickman as well as second-year safety D’Anthony Bell, an undrafted rookie himself.
The decisions made by McCalister and Green reflect the depth the Browns have in their secondary. With players like rookie Cameron Mitchell, Hickman and Bell, the prospects of making the 53-man roster are more difficult. After both spent the season on the Browns practice squad, the Vikings and Broncos likely offer a more realistic path to earning a spot on the opening day roster.
McCalister and Green join wide receiver Austin Watkins as Browns practice squad players seeking opportunities with other teams. Watkins opted to sign a reserves/futures deal with the Philadelphia Eagles after spending the entire season on the Browns practice squad. While Green and McCalister were activated and saw action in games for the Browns in 2023, Watkins never did. Watkins racked up production in the preseason, catching a number of passes from rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
