Browns sign free agent Chris Pressley

Fullback missed last season with Bengals due to injury

4/14/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS

BEREA, Ohio  — The Browns have signed fullback Chris Pressley, a potential lead blocker to open holes for new running back Ben Tate.

Pressley missed all of last season with Cincinnati because of a knee injury. The 5-foot-10, 249-pounder has made 20 career starts in the NFL for the Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2012, he helped Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis lead the league by converting 14 of 15 times on 3rd-and-1 plays.

The Browns did not have a traditional fullback on their roster last season, using Chris Ogbonnaya and some reserve tight ends.

Cleveland’s offense will have a different look this season under new coordinator Kyle Shanahan, and the Browns need someone to clear a path for Tate, who signed a two-year, $7 million free agent deal with them in March.

Pressley was a teammate of Browns Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas at Wisconsin.