Browns Waive Injured WR Luke Floriea, May Retain Practice Squad

Luke Floriea, a wide receiver from Kent State, had been impressing the Cleveland Browns during training camp and preseason with notable catches and strong play. However, he suffered a serious hamstring injury during the preseason opener, which led the Browns to waive him with an injury designation. The injury is a Grade 2 hamstring strain, not requiring surgery, with a recovery timeline of 2-3 weeks, but it has put Floriea's immediate roster hopes on hold. The Browns have expressed interest in re-signing him once healthy, potentially placing him on the practice squad, which would be a significant opportunity given he was initially an undrafted free agent invitee. Other roster moves included signing cornerbacks Christian Holmes and Darius Rush and designating Killian Zierer as the team's International Player Pathway representative. Floriea's injury and release highlight the challenges faced by young players trying to secure roster spots, especially when injuries intervene during crucial evaluation periods.