Hoppel waived by Browns

CLEVELAND -The Cleveland Browns announced 23 roster moves Saturday, reducing their roster to 52 players, one below the mandatory limit of 53.

Beaver?Local graduate Adam Hoppel was among those who didn't make the cut.

"I really didn't know what to expect," Hoppel said Saturday by phone. "I had no idea. I thought maybe they would release me or sign me to the practice squad."

Hoppel, a 6-foot-1, 307-pound nose tackle, was signed by the Browns May 1 as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Cincinnati.

He was one of 14 such players signed as a free agent, only one of whom made the final roster, linebacker Marcus Benard (Jackson State).

Hoppel's days with the Browns may not be over, however.

Teams may establish a practice squad of up to eight players after noon, today, if the players clear waivers.

As of Saturday, Hoppel wasn't sure what his next move would be.

"I haven't really thought about (a spot on the practice squad)," he said. "We'll just have to wait and see what happens."

He saw time in all four of the?Browns preseason games, and totaled five tackles and a forced fumble.

According to Hoppel, regardless of what happens next, his time at an NFL training camp was unforgettable.

"It was a lot of hard work," he said.?"But overall it was a good experience. I'm glad I went through it."

The Browns also waived defensive linemen Brian Schaefering and Santonio Thomas. fullback Charles Ali, defensive backs Brandon Anderson and Tra Battle, quarterback Richard Bartel, linebackers Beau Bell and Titus Brown, offensive linemen Branndon Braxton, Dustin Fry, Pat Murray, Kurt Quarterman and Isaac Sowells, wide receivers Paul Hubbard, Jordan Norwood and Lance Leggett, and running back Chris Jennings.

The contracts of defensive backs Hamza Abdullah and Corey Ivy, running back Noah Herron, wide receiver David Patten and tight end Aaron Walker have been terminated.

In addition, the team reached an injury settlement with defensive lineman Melila Purcell, who had been on the club's injured reserve list.

The Cleveland Browns open the regular season Sept. 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Cleveland Browns Stadium.