The Cleveland Browns have claimed RB George Atkinson III (Oakland), DB Briean Boddy-Calhoun (Jacksonville), DB Marcus Burley (Seattle), DL Tyrone Holmes (Jacksonville) and LB Corey Lemonier (San Francisco) via waivers. To make room on the roster, the team waived DB Trey Caldwell, LB Cam Johnson, RB Raheem Mostert and RB Terrell Watson and terminated the contract of DB Rahim Moore Sr.
The club also signed OL Dan France, TE Connor Hamlett, WR Darius Jennings and OL Kaleb Johnson to the practice squad. All four were with the Browns this preseason and were waived during final roster cuts.
Atkinson is 6-1, 220-pounds and officially in his first NFL season out of Notre Dame. Originally signed by Oakland as an undrafted free agent in 2014, Atkinson appeared in five games his rookie season. Last year, he spent nine weeks on the Raiders' practice squad. This preseason, he led Oakland with 191 rushing yards on 19 attempts (10.1 average) and three scores, while adding six receptions for 60 yards. A native of Stockton, Calif., Atkinson graduated from Granada High School. His father, George Atkinson, Jr., played 10 seasons (1968-77) for the Raiders.
Briean Boddy-Calhoun (pronounced BREE-in BOD-ee) is a 5-9, 193 pound rookie out of Minnesota. Originally signed by Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent, he appeared in 39 games at Minnesota and totaled nine interceptions. A native of Wilmington, Del., he graduated from Wilmington Delcastle Technical High School.
Burley is 5-10, 190-pounds and officially in his third NFL season out of Delaware. Originally signed by Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent in 2013, he has appeared in 26 career games with the Seahawks. He has totaled 49 tackles, seven passes defensed, two interceptions and two sacks. A native of Highland Springs Va., Burley graduated from Highland Springs High School.
Holmes is a 6-2, 253 pound rookie out of Montana. Originally drafted by Jacksonville in the sixth round, Holmes finished second in school history with 34.5 career sacks, including 18.0 last season. He recorded one sack this preseason. A native of Eagle Point, Ore., Holmes graduated from Eagle Point High School.
Lemonier (pronounced lemon-YAY) is a 6-3, 255-pounds and officially in his fourth NFL season out of Auburn. Originally drafted by San Francisco in the third round in 2013, Lemonier has appeared in 42 career games. He has totaled 29 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and 14 special-teams tackles. A native of Hialeah, Fla., Lemonier graduated from Hialeah High School.
