Miles Austin Signs With Browns

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The Cleveland Browns moved quickly to offset the potential loss of wide receiver Josh Gordon, reaching contract agreements with NFL veterans Miles Austin and Earl Bennett on Thursday.

With a season-long suspension looming after ESPN reported that Gordon failed another drug test, the Browns reached out and grabbed Austin, a former Dallas Cowboys receiver, and Bennett, who previously played for the Chicago Bears.

Gordon made a significant contribution to the Cleveland offense last year despite missing two games because of a drug suspension. He led the Browns with 87 receptions for an NFL-best 1,646 yards and finished with nine touchdowns.

The Browns also signed free-agents Andrew Hawkins and Nate Burleson earlier in the offseason.

The 29-year-old Austin was named to the Pro Bowl in 2009 and 2010 after he turned in 1,000-yard receiving seasons, but his production with the Cowboys declined the past two years.

Austin, who was limited to 24 catches for 244 yards last year because of hamstring injuries, still has a shot to become a starter right away with the Browns.

Bennett spent six seasons with the Bears and totaled 185 receptions for for 2,227 yards and

12 touchdowns. In 2013, he had 32 catches for 243 yards and four touchdowns.

The 32-year old Burleson, who signed as a free agent, had 194 catches and 13 touchdowns in four seasons with the Detroit Lions. In 11 seasons with the Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings, Burleson has 457 catches for 5,630 yards and 39 touchdowns.

He suffered a broken arm during minicamp with the Browns but is expected back for training camp in July.

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