Karl

Joseph

The 2016 first-rounder was cut by the Raiders on the eve of Week 1 last season. He landed in Pittsburgh, where he spent most of the time on the practice squad but made two regular season appearances. Headed into his age-29 campaign, Joseph will be up against it to crack the 53-man roster.

The longtime Raider spent 2020 in Cleveland, making eight starts. His initial Raiders tenure was always a bit star crossed, and Joseph is now eight days shy of his 28th birthday. Joseph is simply too much of a liability in coverage to really make a go of it.

Joseph, Las Vegas’ former first-round pick in 2016, most recently made eight starts for the Browns last year. Although he notched 67 tackles, an interception, and two fumble recoveries across 14 appearances in Joe Woods’ dime scheme, Joseph admittedly lacked the coverage attributes needed to roam with receivers over the middle of the field. He’s at least ensured playing time with the Raiders given its lack of viable bodies on defense.

The No. 14 overall pick of the 2016 Draft in Oakland, Joseph spent 2020 in Cleveland, making eight starts. It was his first season away from the Raiders. Headed into his age-28 campaign, Joseph had issues staying healthy with the Raiders. He was not effective last year in Cleveland, but a return back to the Silver and Black could be what he needs at this juncture of his career. It’s all up to his health, of course.

He left without a deal. It’s the first interest in Joseph since the Browns let him walk this offseason. Joseph had 67 tackles, an interception, and two fumble recoveries in 14 games (eight starts) for Cleveland last year. The 27-year-old should resurface as a third safety or back-end starter.

Joseph must’ve been a close contact and not a positive because he was placed on the COVID-19 list just days ago. Unfortunately, the Browns will be without OL coach Bill Callahan and assistant OL coach Scott Peters for the season finale. They have been placed into protocols.

It’s unclear if he’s a close contact or actually tested positive. Either way, he’ll miss the Week 17 finale. The Browns have placed close to one dozen players on the COVID-19 list in the last week. Cleveland is in a must-win spot on Sunday.

Reserve S Ronnie Harrison will make his first start of the season in place of Joseph. Rookie third-round draft pick Jordan Elliott will also make his first career start, replacing Ogunjobi (oblique) in the trenches.

It’s notable after Joseph missed the final seven games of 2019 with a foot sprain that needed surgery. The limited reps suggest Joseph’s not in danger of missing Week 1. Joseph is expected to start opposite second-round FS Grant Delpit.

Early reports indicated that Joseph would be ready for Week 1. His early removal from the PUP list affirms that optimism. Jospeh signed a one-year deal with Cleveland in the spring and is expected to be the replacement for Damarious Randall, who started 11 games for the Browns in 2019.