Browns Place Veteran Offensive Lineman On Injured Reserve

Cleveland announced the move ahead of their fourth training camp practice at the Greenbrier

Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen (55) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Just four practices into training camp, the Cleveland Browns are already dealing with their first serious injury of the 2024 season.

On Monday, the team officially announced that they placed veteran center Brian Allen on the injured reserve with a calf injury. The former Rams offensive lineman suffered the ailment on day three of practice, Saturday. He was seen limping off the field with trainers toward the end of the session. In a corresponding move the Browns signed guard Zack Johnson.

#Browns with a couple roster moves this morning:

Signed G Zack Johnson and placed Brian Allen (calf) on reserve/injured.

— Kelsey Russo (@kelseyyrusso) July 29, 2024

"We'll see how the roster shakes out," head coach Kevin Stefanski said regarding whether or not the injury was a season-ending one for Allen. "Disappointed for him obviously with an injury, but we'll see how it shakes out."

The fact that the Browns added Johnson pretty quickly after the news of Allen's injury is a sign that it's likely a pretty serious one. Cleveland signed Allen as a free agent back in April after being released by Los Angeles. The 28-year-old was hoping to put together a healthy season after an injury plagued season in 2023, that left him appearing in just five games and losing his starting job. Back in 2021, Allen started every game for the Rams at center during their run to a Super Bowl.

Losing Allen means 2023 sixth-round pick Luke Wypler is comfortably the No. 2 center for Cleveland. As fr=or Johnson, he was an undrafted free agent of the Green Bay Packers in 2020. He's bounced around the league as a practice squad player for the Broncos, Ravens and Titans, and just played a season with the UFL's Birmingham Stallions. Johnson was named to the All-UFL team back in June.