The Cleveland Browns signed free-agent defensive tackle Malik McDowell to an undisclosed deal on Monday. McDowell was a second-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2017. He has yet to play an NFL game after a serious ATV injury during training camp before his rookie season. It's an interesting low-risk move for a Browns defense that has really been beefed up in the last year. McDowell was also arrested for driving under the influence and disorderly conduct in separate incidents late in his rookie season and spent the 2018 campaign on the Non-Football Injury list. He was later released in 2019 after being arrested following an altercation with police and was sentenced to 11 months in jail after pleading guilty. The Browns will give him a second chance to prove he's moved past his off-field issues.
Defensive lineman Malik McDowell was the Seattle Seahawks' first draft pick of 2017 and was expected to help bring depth to the rotation up front. Unfortunately, he suffered a severe concussion when he wrecked an ATV prior to the start of training camp. The injury itself was unknown until Friday, when head coach Pete Carroll revealed the nature of the injury as well as updated the timeline for McDowell's possible return. There is no set timeline since concussions are unpredictable, but Carroll supported the idea that no one has ruled McDowell out for the season yet.
Malik McDowell
• DT
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Browns
