Brandon

Hughes

One of Philly’s top special teams gunners, Hughes is now signed for $540,000 in 2012 and $630,000 in 2013. He can earn another $500,000 over the course of the deal via performance escalators. Although 26-year-old Hughes is used sparingly on defense, he racked up seven special teams stops in 2011.

Hughes broke his hand in the third preseason game. He had already been ruled out for the Monday night opener against Washington. Hughes is likely getting waived/injured or receiving some kind of injury settlement.

Hughes played 22 snaps in the Week 2 loss to the Chargers, but he’d normally just be depth when Bradley Fletcher (concussion) is healthy. Hughes’ role on the team will be taken by Roc Carmichael, who was signed off the Texans practice squad Wednesday. Hughes will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.

Hughes broke his hand in the preseason, returned to play 22 snaps in Week 2, and then was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury last week. Hughes, 27, appeared in 31 games with the Eagles the past four seasons.

Hughes broke his hand in the third preseason game and wasn’t going to play in Week 1 anyway. By cutting him and then bringing him back now, the Eagles avoid guaranteeing his salary. Hughes’ main contributions will come on special teams.

Hughes, 27, is one of the Eagles’ top special teams players, and he was also seeing work at corner with CB Curtis Marsh already out with a fractured hand of his own. Hughes appeared in all 16 games last season, making ten tackles.

The Browns are populating their offseason roster with upside youngsters instead of retread veterans. Hughes appeared in one game for the Eagles last season before being released with an injury settlement. Sanford notched eight tackles in six games between the Browns and Raiders.

Hughes, 5'10/182 out of Oregon State, was a two-time second-team All-Pac 10 selection. Lacking high-end speed, Hughes struggles in off-man coverage but does well in bump-and-run. He’ll battle for the team’s final cornerback spot.

The loss will test San Diego’s depth, which worsened after Cletis Gordon’s release. A fifth-round pick, Hughes was poised to be the Bolts’ No. 4 corner.

The Bolts never revealed the extent of Hughes’ injury, but did admit that it was “significant.” The fifth-round pick from Oregon State will return to battle for a roster spot in 2010. San Diego has become awfully thin at cornerback.