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Free-agent wide receiver Kadarius Toney worked out for the Cleveland Browns on Friday ahead of the team’s Week 1 clash with the Dallas Cowboys, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
Toney spent the 2023 season with the Kansas City Chiefs, although he was waived by the franchise as they trimmed their roster down to 53 players on Aug. 27.
After he was released, the 25-year-old visited the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach suggested that Toney’s offseason routine was a factor in his release.
“Sometimes you can make some bad luck turn into good luck by just doing some little things in the offseason [to] take care of your body,” Veach said, per ESPN’s Adam Teicher. “I think that’s a process he’s working through. It’s certainly not for a lack of talent.”
The former Florida standout was originally selected by the New York Giants with a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, hauling in 39 catches for 420 yards in 10 games as a rookie. He was traded to Kansas City in the middle of his sophomore season as he struggled with injuries and inconsistency.
While Toney ultimately wasn’t able to live up to his draft status with the Chiefs, he still played a large role in their 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57. He returned a punt for 65 yards in the fourth quarter, setting up a touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to Skyy Moore.
The Browns’ receiving core is set, with Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore complementing Amari Cooper on the boundary. If Toney is signed, he’d likely operate primarily on special teams as a returner.
Moore is currently listed as Cleveland’s punt returner on the team’s official depth chart, although special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone revealed that the Browns could also utilize other options on the practice squad instead of him (via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com).
As Toney looks to find a new home with the 2024 season beginning, he could join Cleveland if his workout on Friday goes well.