Browns Make Surprising Roster Decision With Luke Floriea

The Cleveland Browns wide receiver competition has reached its conclusion, and the outcome represents a difficult break for one of the more compelling storylines of the entire preseason. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Browns are waiving receiver Luke Floriea, closing out a summer in which the undrafted rookie out of Kent State established himself as a genuine camp favorite. Floriea’s release comes despite leading the team in preseason production, a reminder of just how unforgiving the numbers game can be at the bottom of an NFL roster.

Fowler confirmed the move Sunday afternoon.

“The Browns are waiving wide receiver Luke Floriea, per source, a camp favorite who had three touchdowns over the last two preseason games,” Fowler wrote.

The Browns are waiving wide receiver Luke Floriea, per source, a camp favorite who had three touchdowns over the last two preseason games.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 30, 2026

Floriea’s preseason output stood out across the entire roster, not just among receivers fighting for a depth spot, finishing with 95 yards and 3 touchdowns on 6 catches that tied him for second on the team in receptions.

The Mentor, Ohio native and Kent State product had spoken openly about what making this roster would mean to him personally, describing it simply as everything during an emotional moment following the preseason finale. That local connection, combined with a difficult path that included a hamstring injury the previous preseason and a full season spent on the practice squad, made his strong finish to this camp all the more meaningful, even as it ultimately was not enough to overcome a crowded receiver room that already included Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond, Tylan Wallace, and rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. Floriea’s own comments after the finale suggested he understood the possibility of this outcome, having said he felt he did everything he could and held no regrets regardless of how the roster decisions played out.

While his release closes this chapter of Floriea’s rookie season, it does not necessarily end his path with the organization, since players waived at this stage of the process can be re-signed to a practice squad if they clear waivers first.