Former Ravens wide receiver set to debut with Cleveland

Just a few days ago, on the verge of the NFL trade deadline, we informed you about some exciting news related to a former Baltimore Ravens draftee. Today, things got even better for him and his new team, the Cleveland Browns.

The AFC North franchise and Ravens fierce rival announced on Saturday that they have elevated wide receiver James Proche to their active, 53-man roster for Week 9.

Proche was initially signed to the Browns practice squad after being released by Baltimore earlier this year without appearing in any NFL game. That could be about to change, with Proche in the final roster for the game against the Arizona Cardinals tomorrow.

The Ravens used a sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft to acquire Proche off college. Throughout his NFL career, which he spent entirely in Baltimore up to now, Proche appeared in 43 games getting 25 receptions for 278 yards.

Proche is also known for his special-team contributions. He has logged 27 punt returns, turning them into 222 yards. He also returned a couple of kickoffs in Baltimore for 22 total yards.

The Browns might have known of their need for warm bodies at the wide receiver position earlier than most people. That's because they traded wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones a few days ago, opening room for an addition to land on the roster.

Now, that open spot has a name attached to it in that of James Proche, who is flipping the Ravens for divisional rival Cleveland to get his second professional chapter started while staying in the only division he's ever known: the AFC North.

Cleveland is also facing the absence of David Bell, a fellow wide receiver, for the game against Arizona on Sunday. That increases the chances of Proche making his season debut tomorrow with the Browns after getting cut by the Ravens at the end of August and right before the start of the regular season.

The Browns are expected to increase the volume of targets thrown to rookie Cedric Tillman while also using Proche even in a minimal set of snaps. Here's hoping he goes on to have a nice career in Cleveland starting with making his 2023 debut tomorrow against Arizona!

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