The Cleveland Browns think highly enough of their young pass-catchers to let David Nelson walk.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported the former Buffalo Bills wide receiver, brought to Cleveland to challenge for work in the slot, was released Saturday, according to a source informed of the move. The Browns later confirmed the cut.
NFL roster cut tracker
Teams had until 6 p.m. ET on Saturday to reduce their rosters to a maximum of 53 players. Who was cut?
Nelson couldn't make an impact this summer coming off his 2012 ACL tear and battling a nagging bone bruise in training camp. He didn't play last season because of the shattered knee, but he showed promise catching 61 passes for 658 yards and five touchdowns for the Bills in 2011. After Nelson signed a deal that included just $25,000 in guarantees, the Browns weren't going to hang on to the 6-foot-5 target unless he showed tangible promise.
As the Browns make their final cuts toward a 53-man roster, they'll travel into the season with Josh Gordon and Greg Little penciled in as starters, with Davone Bess in the slot. In a scheme that will stress aggressive downfield passing, the pressure is on this young bunch -- and quarterback Brandon Weeden -- to deliver.
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