Jaelon Darden - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Remains return specialist Darden caught his lone target for six yards across 12 games between the Browns (seven) and Seahawks (five) in 2024. He also returned 10 punts for 75 yards and seven kickoffs for 19...

Impact The 2021 fourth-round pick didn't play an offensive snap for the Seahawks. He'll be a restricted free agent this offseason, and even if the Seahawks retain him, Darden will need to earn his job in training camp.

JANUARY 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Claimed by Seattle The Seahawks claimed Darden off waivers Thursday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Impact Darden was waived by the Browns on Wednesday, and it didn't take long for the 2021 fourth-round pick to find a new home. Darden has mostly operated as a return man on special teams this season and has logged 234 punt return yards and 97 kickoff return yards across seven regular-season games.

DECEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gets let go Darden was waived by the Browns on Wednesday.

Impact Darden appeared in seven games for Cleveland this season, seeing most of his opportunities as a return man on special teams. The 2021 fourth-round selection only had 20 offensive snaps, but caught his only target for a six-yard gain. In a corresponding move, the Browns signed Bailey Zappe to bolster their quarterback depth.

DECEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Signed to active roster The Browns signed Darden from the practice squad to the active roster Tuesday.

Impact Darden had already reached his maximum of three elevations from the practice squad, meaning he had to be inked to the 53-man roster in order to contribute Sunday against the Chargers. The 25-year-old will continue working as a key punt returner for the Browns, as well as playing a depth role on offense.

OCTOBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Reverts to practice squad Darden reverted to the Browns' practice squad Monday.

Impact Darden didn't record any offensive stats across four snaps played, but he did contribute on special teams as he returned three punts for 36 yards. The 25-year-old has now played in three straight matchups and can only be elevated once more this season.

OCTOBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated for Week 8 The Browns elevated from the practice squad Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Ravens, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Impact Darden will have his third possible practice squad elevation utilized for Week 8. The fourth-year pro has been promoted off the practice squad for each of Cleveland's last two games. He played 13 percent of offensive snaps in both contests, while also contributing as a key punt returner.

OCTOBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice squad Darden reverted to the Browns' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Impact Darden was elevated to the active roster for Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Bengals, failing to garner a target while playing 11 of the team's 84 offensive snaps. Additionally, he recorded 43 yards on five punt returns in the defeat. It was the second week in a row that Darden was active and he can still be elevated one more time before he'd have to officially sign with the active roster.

OCTOBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated to active roster The Browns promoted Darden to the active roster Saturday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact This marks the second week in a row Darden has been elevated. He played seven of 57 offensive snaps in last week's 20-16 loss to Philadelphia and caught one pass for six yards. He also returned two punts for 26 yards. He figures to be in line for a similar workload Sunday versus the Bengals.

OCTOBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back to practice squad Darden reverted to the Browns' practice squad Monday, according to the NFL's official transaction log.

Impact The wide receiver played on seven of 57 offensive snaps, caught one pass for six yards and returned two punts for 26 yards during Cleveland's 20-16 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday. Darden ranked behind Jerry Jeudy (52 snaps), Amari Cooper (47 snaps), Elijah Moore (38 snaps) and Cedric Tillman (21 snaps) in total snap count.

OCTOBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

One catch in loss Darden caught his lone target for six yards in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Eagles in Week 6. He also returned two punts for 26 yards.

Impact Darden was activated from the practice squad for the second time this season after the Browns released James Proche on Saturday. Darden finished with seven snaps on offense and could be in line for a role as the primary returner, if Cleveland signs him to the active roster. He has experience returning both kicks and punts during all four seasons of his NFL career.

OCTOBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gets elevated for Week 6 Cleveland elevated Darden from its practice squad ahead of Sunday's game at Philadelphia, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

Impact Darden will be available for the Browns for the second time this season at the Eagles. In his first outing in Week 1 versus the Cowboys, he returned five punts for 72 yards and four kickoffs for 97 yards.

OCTOBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Inks to practice squad The Browns signed Darden to the practice squad Tuesday.

Impact Darden worked as Cleveland's top returner Week 1, and he now reunites with the team as a member of the practice squad. With wide receiver David Bell (hip) having suffered a season-ending hip injury, Darden could get an opportunity to bump up to the active roster and contribute as early as Sunday versus the Giants.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Time up in Cleveland The Browns cut Darden on Saturday, Brad Stainbrook of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Darden's spot on the 53-man roster will be filled by fellow wideout James Proche. The 2021 fourth-round pick returned five punts for 72 yards and four kickoffs for 97 yards in Week 1, but the Browns have opted not to stick with Darden as the primary return man. Strong and Jerome Ford could work on kick returns instead, while Elijah Moore looks like the top candidate to return punts versus Jacksonville on Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Primary returner Week 1 Darden returned five punts for 72 yards and four kickoffs for 97 yards in Sunday's 33-17 loss to Dallas in Week 1. He did not play on offense.

Impact Darden, who was signed Saturday to replace the waived David Bell, became the team's primary returner for all kicks. His addition paid early dividends when he set up the Browns on a short field following a 28-yard punt return that led to a field goal, giving Cleveland a 3-0 lead in the first quarter, its only lead of the game. Darden has been with the organization since the Browns claimed him late in the 2022 season.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Jaelon Darden's 28-yard punt return puts Browns offense in business early Wide receiver Jaelon Darden's 28-yard punt return puts the Cleveland Browns offense in business early.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024 • CLEVELANDBROWNS.COM

Joins active roster Darden signed a contract with the Browns on Saturday,.

Impact Darden will replace David Bell, who was waived earlier this week. A former fourth-round pick by the Buccaneers back in 2021, Darden projects to be the team's top punt returner and could operate as one of the team's kick returners too, but he'll be hard pressed to see offensive snaps with numerous players above him on the wide receiver depth chart.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back with Cleveland on taxi squad The Browns signed Darden to the practice squad Wednesday.

Impact The 2021 fourth-round pick finished the preseason with four catches (on eight targets) for 70 yards. He spent most of 2023 with the Browns' practice squad, and he will reprise that role for the upcoming season.

AUGUST 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Let go by Cleveland The Browns waived Darden on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact A fourth-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2021, Darden was claimed off waivers by Cleveland in December of 2022 and bounced back and forth from the practice squad last season. This preseason, Darden caught four passes for 70 scoreless yards. He'll look for an opportunity elsewhere but could be a candidate for the practice squad again.

AUGUST 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tyler Huntley hits Jaelon Darden with 37-yard rainbow pass Cleveland Browns Tyler Huntley hits wide receiver Jaelon Darden with 37-yard rainbow pass.

AUGUST 25, 2024 • CLEVELANDBROWNS.COM

Returning kicks Darden caught two-of-four targets for 21 yards in Saturday's preseason game against Minnesota. He also returned two punts for 16 yards and one kickoff for 29 yards.

Impact All of Darden's activity as a receiver occurred during the second half. If he's to stick with the team, it will likely be as a returner. Darden has returned both punts and kickoffs in each of the first two preseason games.

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Jaelon Darden concentration is on another level during deflected 16-yard catch Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jaelon Darden concentration is on another level during deflected 16-yard catch.

AUGUST 17, 2024 • CLEVELANDBROWNS.COM

Jaelon Darden, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Wide Receiver 2015: Was a first-team all-district selection at QB as a junior while playing at Aldine Eisenhower

JUNE 24, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

Signs reserve/future contract Darden signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns on Monday.

Impact The wide receiver was on the Browns' practice squad at the end of the season. Darden appeared in one game and on nine special teams in 2023.

JANUARY 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back to practice squad Darden reverted to the Browns' practice squad Monday.

Impact Darden operated as the team's primary return specialist in Sunday's 19-17 upset win over the 49ers, compiling 42 return-yards on two kick returns and 39 yards on four punts. If Cedric Tillman (hip) is unable to go again in Week 7 versus the Colts, Darden could be elevated to the team's active roster again.

OCTOBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cade York, Austin Watkins, Demetric Felton, Jaelon Darden Lead List of Cuts as Browns get to 53-Player Limit Browns have four draft choices among the latest list of released players.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • 247SPORTS.COM

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