The Cleveland Browns announced Sunday they have signed veteran linebacker Malcolm Smith.
The team did not disclose the terms of Smith’s contract.
On Sunday, the Browns waived center Casey Dunn to make room for Smith on their 80-man roster.
The acquisition of Smith adds depth to the Browns’ linebacking corps after Mack Wilson hyperextended his knee on Tuesday during training camp.
Trainers had to cart Wilson off the field.
An unnamed source told cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot that Wilson might not need season-ending knee surgery.
While Browns are hopeful Wilson can return to the field in 2020, it’s unclear how much time he could miss.
Smith is a bit of a tweener 6-foot and 225 pounds.
Headed into his ninth NFL season, Smith has almost as much experience as the Browns’ other linebackers combined.
Smith, 31, becomes the Browns’ oldest linebacker: Solomon Ajayi (23), Tae Davis (24), B.J. Goodson (27), Willie Harvey (24), Montrel Meander (25), Jacob Phillips (21), Sione Takitaki (25) and Wilson (22).
The Browns are expected to start three linebackers by using a 4-3 base defense under new defensive coordinator Joe Woods.
Perhaps Smith is best known for winning MVP of Super Bowl XLVIII after finishing with 10 tackles, one fumble recovery and a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown during the Seattle Seahawks’ 43-8 win over the Denver Broncos.
Last season, Smith played two games for the Jacksonville Jaguars and two games for the Dallas Cowboys.
In 2019, Smith compiled five tackles and a forced fumble.
Smith has also spent time with the Seahawks (2011-2014), Oakland Raiders (2015-2016) and San Francisco 49ers (2017-2018).
The 2016 season marked the last time Smith was a full-time starter.
Smith has appeared in 104 regular season games compiling 295 tackles, 10 forced fumbles, six sacks, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
The Seahawks selected Smith out of Southern California with the 242nd overall pick in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
If a player is this good, to have been around this many teams, why do they want to trade him? I realize salary but his talent hasn’t lost, “diminishing skills”. “Its a liquid, not a solid” as to why. Each level of our defense gets a new injection.. By now, I’m thinking we’ll be unbeatable. I hear the word “Learning” alot. I think the work “mistake free” is better.