Germain

Ifedi

Darden is a former fourth round pick by the Buccaneers in the 2021 NFL Draft. He’ll take the open roster spot the Browns had after waiving David Bell earlier this week. Darden is an additional weapon in the return game for Cleveland while Ford Jr. and Ifedi are depth pieces.

The report comes from The Akron Beacon Journal. Ifedi is filling in for starting LT Jedrick Wills Jr. (MCL), who “has shown no visible indication of when he’ll be back doing on-field football work” since injuring his knee in November 2023, per reporter Chris Easterling. Ifedi’s Saturday hand injury was among three total injuries suffered by the Browns’ backup tackle group, including James Hudson III (ankle) and Hakeem Adeniji (knee). Stefanski ruled Hudson out for the upcoming preseason contest but said Hudson “will be back soon.” Stefanski expects Adeniji to be “out for a little bit” though. The Browns’ thin tackle group is a concern.

Ifedi spent last season with the Bills after being released by the Lions at the conclusion of training camp but didn’t appear in a game last season. The former first-round pick last played in 2022, appearing in 17 games for the Falcons as a backup. He hasn’t started a game since 2021. Ifedi is an eight-year vet who can slot in to start if necessary, but he’s now two years removed from his last start. He’ll likely have to battle for a roster spot in camp.

The Bills were left with an immediate need for depth behind starting left tackle Dion Dawkins following roster cuts Tuesday. Ifedi brings a veteran presence and is capable of providing starter-level snaps should there be an injury ahead of him on the exterior offensive line.

Ifedi was released by the Falcons after their rookie minicamp and now latches on with the upswing Lions to provide depth on the offensive line. With the Lions already having one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, Ifedi will compete for a reserve role.

Ifedi was active for all 17 games for the Falcons last year and will turn 29 in June. He’ll search for a new OL room to be usable depth in for the 2023 season.

Ifedi was active for every game in 2022 but only took the field for eight offensive snaps. He also pitched in as a blocker on the kicking team. Ifedi will return to Atlanta as an experienced backup but nothing more.

Ifedi spent the last two seasons with the Bears after spending his first four seasons with the Seahawks. Originally a first-round pick in 2016, Ifedi has been a disappointment relative to his high draft capital. He’s particularly struggled with penalties but has cleaned that up a bit since his early seasons with the Seahawks. He should help provide depth for a Falcons offensive line that struggled on the interior in 2021.

Ifedi has always been incredibly penalty-prone, but has improved into not a total liability over the past three seasons and obviously has the size that teams covet. He played 412 snaps with the Bears last year. The Falcons had major issues along the interior of their offensive line last season. The dots seem to connect well for these two to find an agreement.

Ifedi was already on injured reserve with a sprained knee. He’s eligible to return in Week 9 against the Steelers.