Kicker Lucas Havrisik Signs with Cleveland Browns on Reserve/Futures Deal; Two Other Browns Sign
Kicker Lucas Havrisik has been signed by the Cleveland Browns to a reserve/futures contract.
Kicker Lucas Havrisik is the 12th player the Browns have signed to a reserve/futures contract. Prior to joining the Los Angeles Rams’ active roster later in the season, Havrisik was a member of the Browns’ practice squad.
In 2023, Havrisik participated in nine games in Cleveland Browns. He was 15 of 20 on field goals and 19 of 22 on extra points over those games. After Havrisik missed two extra points in the Rams’ victory over the New York Giants in week 17, they cut him on New Year’s Day.
The University of Arizona product originally signed with the Colts’ practice squad in 2022 to compete for the starting job when Bubba Ventrone was their special teams coordinator. However, just six days later, Havrisik was released. He later signed a futures contract with the Colts.
In 2023, Havrisik signed with the Browns practice squad before signing to the active roster of the Rams. Dustin Hopkins, who had an incredible season for the Browns before injury ultimately ended his season, will be the presumed starter next season in Cleveland. Hopkins is under contract until 2025 and Havrisik will likely be a backup option for the Browns.
A few Browns players signed reserve/futures contracts with other teams, according to linked news. On Tuesday, cornerback A.J. Green III became a member of the Minnesota Vikings. Green signed with the Browns as an undrafted rookie in 2020 and played with them for four seasons. Green made 29 appearances overall between 2021 and 2022, starting two of them. In addition to recording two interceptions, he broke up seven passes and recorded 29 solo tackles. Green played on the practice squad for the majority of the 2023 season and made just three appearances.
Security The Denver Broncos and Tanner McCalister agreed to a reserves/futures contract. Following the 2023 draft, McCalister signed with the Browns, where he played with fellow undrafted rookie from Ohio State and teammate Ronnie Hickman, as well as second-year safety D’Anthony Bell, who was also an undrafted rookie.
The choices made by Green and McCalister demonstrate how strong the Browns’ secondary is. It will be harder to make the 53-man roster with players like Bell, Hickman, and youngster Cameron Mitchell. The Vikings and Broncos most likely present a more feasible route to securing a spot on the opening day roster, having both spent the season on the Browns practice squad.
Along with wide receiver Austin Watkins, McCalister and Green are members of the Browns practice squad who are looking for opportunities with other clubs. Watkins ended up playing the entire season on the Browns practice squad before deciding to accept a reserves/futures contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Watkins was never activated and did not play in any games for the Browns in 2023, whereas Green and McCalister did. Throughout the preseason, Watkins was very productive, catching several passes from rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
