Two weeks after releasing Cameron Latu from their practice squad, the Cleveland Browns have re-signed the former Alabama tight end for the final week of their season. The team announced Latu’s return to the practice squad on Tuesday, a move precipitated by the absence of starting tight end David Njoku, who missed practice, and the limited participation of reserve tight end Blake Whiteheart due to knee injuries. Njoku’s absence was felt in Sunday’s 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins, where Jordan Akins started in his place.
Cleveland is now preparing for its season finale – an AFC North clash against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. CST. The team’s decision to bring back Latu is strategic, given that each NFL team can elevate two practice squad players to active status for each game. This provides the Browns with additional depth at the tight end position given the injury concerns.
Latu, a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has yet to appear in a regular-season game. His collegiate career at Alabama was impressive, featuring 56 receptions for 787 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final two seasons after transitioning from linebacker. However, a meniscus injury suffered in the San Francisco 49ers’ final preseason game of 2023 significantly hampered his progress. He underwent two knee surgeries and spent the entire season on injured reserve.
While Latu showed promise in the 49ers’ 2024 preseason, recording eight receptions for 84 yards in three games, he was waived on August 27th as San Francisco trimmed its roster to the regular season limit of 53 players. The Browns quickly signed him to their practice squad, where he remained for the first 15 weeks of the season before this recent reacquisition.