Browns Sign Eric Johnson II to Practice Squad, Release Nadame Tucker
The Cleveland Browns signed defensive tackle Eric Johnson II to the practice squad and released defensive end Nadame Tucker from the practice squad on Wednesday, October 21. The move gives Cleveland an experienced interior defender while opening the developmental spot previously held by a rookie edge rusher.
Cleveland announced the two corresponding moves at 9:34 a.m. ET. Johnson joins only the practice squad, so this transaction does not place him on the 53-man roster or guarantee that he will dress on game day.
Who is Eric Johnson II?
Johnson is a 6-foot-4, 320-pound defensive tackle in his fifth NFL season. Indianapolis selected him in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Missouri State, and he has appeared in 51 regular-season games for the Colts and New England Patriots without making a start.
Through the 2025 season, Johnson had 41 combined tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery. Those numbers frame him as an experienced rotational interior lineman rather than a pass-rush specialist. His value to Cleveland is familiarity with NFL run fits, practice tempo and the week-to-week preparation required from a reserve defensive tackle.
What the Browns changed
This was not a like-for-like personnel swap. Johnson is an interior defender listed at 320 pounds, while Tucker is a 250-pound edge defender. The Browns therefore traded one developmental edge spot for a veteran body who can work inside during practice.
That positional difference is the most useful takeaway. It suggests Cleveland currently places a higher priority on interior defensive-line insurance than on retaining Tucker in the practice-squad edge group. That is an inference from the roster move, not an announced depth-chart promotion.
Johnson can now learn the Browns’ terminology and provide practice repetitions immediately. The next meaningful signal will be whether Cleveland elevates him for a game or signs him to the active roster. Until one of those steps occurs, the active defensive-line rotation remains unchanged by this transaction.
What Nadame Tucker’s release means
Tucker is a rookie defensive end from Western Michigan. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound prospect ran a 4.73-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine and joined Cleveland’s practice squad in September.
His release removes one developmental edge option but does not automatically reduce the active defense’s game-day depth. Tucker was not on the 53-man roster. He is now available to sign with another club, and Cleveland could still revisit the relationship later if roster needs change.
Fantasy football and Browns DST impact
Eric Johnson II is not a fantasy waiver target in standard formats. He has joined the practice squad and has never started an NFL regular-season game.
The Browns defense/special teams unit should not be moved up or down rankings because of this transaction alone. Johnson has not been added to the active roster.
IDP managers should wait for an active-roster promotion, a game-day elevation and a defined snap role before considering Johnson.
The actionable checkpoint is Cleveland’s official injury report and weekend transaction wire. An elevation would indicate that the Browns want extra interior-line depth available on game day.
Bottom line
Cleveland added a veteran interior defender with 51 games of NFL experience and moved on from a rookie practice-squad edge rusher. For now, it is a depth-management decision rather than a lineup change. Johnson becomes relevant to the Browns’ game-day plan only if the team elevates or promotes him.
Sources
Cleveland Browns: official October 21 roster announcement
Indianapolis Colts: Eric Johnson II career statistics and biography
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