The Browns traded running back Terrance West to the Tennessee Titans, the team announced Sunday. West survived roster cuts over the weekend, but Connor Orr of NFL.com reported Saturday that the Browns were actively fielding offers for their leading rusher from last season. The Titans sent a conditional seventh-round 2016 pick in the trade.
Browns trade RB Terrance West to Titans
Even though West survived roster cuts over the weekend, Cleveland was still intent on moving on from the second-year running back.
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
West, 24, played extensively in the Browns' preseason finale Thursday against the Bears -- which is seldom a good sign. Running back Isaiah Crowell rested along with many other veterans, and appears to be the favorite to start for the Browns Week 1. Rookie running back Duke Johnson is currently recovering from a concussion, but the Browns expect him to contribute out of the backfield this year as well.
West will join a Titans running back group that's already filled with young talent. They spent a second-round pick on Bishop Sankey in 2014 and a fifth-round pick on David Cobb this year. Unfortunately, Cobb went down with an injury and is on short-term injured reserve, meaning he'll miss at least six weeks of practice and eight games. There's also Dexter McCluster, who finds different ways to get involved in the offense.
When asked Friday about West’s standing, Cleveland head coach Mike Pettine was vague about the former third-round pick’s status.
“Terrance has had his -- it’s been well documented -- ups and downs,” Pettine said, per Northeast Ohio Media Group. “He flashes at times just brilliance and then other times where he gets a minus on the grade sheet, and that’s always been, some of the issues that we’ve had with him. We know he can do it. It just has to be on a more consistent basis.”
West rushed for 35 yards on nine carries against the Bears Thursday, and has averaged 3.1 yards per carry on 31 carries this preseason. He led the Browns with 679 rushing yards on 171 carries in his rookie campaign and scored three touchdowns as well. He should be a valuable backup to Sankey at this stage.
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