Brows' Roster Changes: Brown's Team Drops Wide Receiver Luke Floriea from Roster
The Cleveland Browns have made some roster moves, with wide receiver Luke Floriea being waived on Monday following a serious hamstring injury he sustained during the team's 30-10 road win against the Carolina Panthers[5].
Floriea, a 23-year-old undrafted free agent out of Kent State, was initially expected to miss significant time due to the injury[2][3][4]. After being waived with an injury designation, he reverted to the Browns' injured reserve but then reached an injury settlement with the team on August 13, 2025. This settlement means Floriea is no longer on injured reserve and can sign with another team once he has fully recovered[1].
The Browns have been active in other areas as well, signing two cornerbacks: Christian Holmes and Darius Rush. Holmes, a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, played in 30 career games (two starts) with Washington, tallying 20 tackles and two fumble recoveries. Rush, a fifth-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, recorded three tackles and one pass defensed in five games (no starts) with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2023-24[6][7].
The Browns have also designated tackle Kilian Zierer as the team's international player[8]. With Floriea's injury likely to keep him out for the 2025 season, there remains hope he will return to the Browns in a practice squad capacity after recovery[1][2][3].
[1] - ESPN, (2025), Browns waive Luke Floriea with injury designation, available at: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35139524/browns-waive-luke-floriea-injury-designation [2] - NFL.com, (2025), Browns' Luke Floriea out with hamstring injury, available at: https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-luke-floriea-out-with-hamstring-injury [3] - Cleveland.com, (2025), Browns' Luke Floriea injured in preseason opener, available at: https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2025/08/browns_luke_floriea_injured_in_preseason_opener.html [4] - Pro Football Talk, (2025), Browns waive Luke Floriea with injury designation, available at: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2025/08/09/browns-waive-luke-floriea-with-injury-designation/ [5] - Cleveland.com, (2025), Browns waive Luke Floriea, available at: https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2025/08/browns_waive_luke_floriea.html [6] - Browns Wire, (2025), Browns sign two cornerbacks to practice squad, available at: https://www.brownswire.usatoday.com/2025/08/10/browns-sign-two-cornerbacks-to-practice-squad/ [7] - Browns Zone, (2025), Browns sign Christian Holmes and Darius Rush to practice squad, available at: https://www.brownszone.com/2025/8/10/21338381/browns-sign-cornerbacks-christian-holmes-darius-rush-to-practice-squad [8] - Cleveland Browns, (2025), Browns designate Kilian Zierer as international player, available at: https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-designate-kilian-zierer-as-international-player
- The Cleveland Browns, after a 30-10 road win in the game, made the decision to waive wide receiver Luke Floriea due to a serious hamstring injury he suffered during the match.
- In the 2022 NFL Draft, Christian Holmes was chosen as a seventh-round pick, while Darius Rush was a fifth-round pick for the Indianapolis Colts in 2023.
- Though Floriea, a 23-year-old player, had an injury designation and was placed on the Browns' injured reserve, he reached an injury settlement with the team on August 13, 2025.
- In the midst of the team's roster moves, the Browns also designated tackle Kilian Zierer as their international player.
- Both Christian Holmes and Darius Rush have football experience in the NFL, with their combined total of games played reaching 35, including two starts for Holmes and no starts for Rush.
- Despite Floriea's likely absence for the 2025 season due to injury, there remains a possibility that he will return to the Browns' practice squad after complete recovery.
