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The Cleveland Browns brought in former Super Bowl champion Tyler Johnson for a workout.
The Cleveland Browns are eyeing a receiver with a Super Bowl ring as they evaluate their options around Deshaun Watson.
Veteran Tyler Johnson was among eight players who worked out for Cleveland, according to the NFL transactions wire. Fellow receivers Xavier Guillory and Justin Shorter also participated.
Johnson, 28, became available after the New York Jets released him from their practice squad on Oct. 13. He returned to New York in September after spending the summer with the Dallas Cowboys.
Cleveland has deep concerns at the position after placing Bub Means on the injured list with the practice squad on Oct. 20 with a knee injury.
Tyler Johnson Brings Championship Experience
Johnson entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick out of Minnesota in 2020. His first season ended with a championship as the Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.
Working with Tom Brady at quarterback, Johnson caught 12 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns that regular season. He followed that up with 36 receptions for 360 yards in 2021, establishing himself as a complementary option in Tampa Bay’s passing game.
His career since then has included stops with the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams and Jets. Last season, Johnson appeared in 12 games for New York and finished with 12 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown. He caught 88 passes for 1,025 yards and five touchdowns in his career.
That gives Cleveland an experienced option to consider behind its established receivers, with Johnson trying to turn another audition into a roster opportunity.
Browns Looking For More From Passing Game
Cleveland leans on rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston as their top two pass catchers, along with veterans Jerry Jeudy and Isaiah Bond.
Boston supplied the big plays, catching 17 passes for a team-high 345 yards and three touchdowns in six games while averaging 20.3 yards per reception. Concepcion leads Cleveland with 22 catches for 186 yards but has yet to find the end zone.
Jeudy had a smaller role on offense but was reminded of his value in the Browns’ 13-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens. He finished with four catches for 69 yards, including a 33-yard reception on the final possession that set up Andre Szmyt’s game-winning field goal.
Head coach Todd Monken rewarded Jeudy with a game ball and acknowledged his own responsibility to get the veteran more involved.
“We’re better on offense when Jerry’s a part of it, and I can definitely do a better job of integrating him into it,” Monken said after the victory.
The Browns received encouraging news among their rookie receivers before the game at Tennessee. Boston, who is listed with a foot injury, and Concepcion, who is dealing with calf and quad injuries, both practiced fully Friday and did not receive a game designation.
Deshaun Watson’s late-game heroics helped lead the Browns to a 4-2 record. But Cleveland needs more consistent production through four quarters, and a healthy receiving corps will give Watson a better chance to deliver.