The Cleveland Browns had one spot after trading veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday, October 7. And it took Kevin Stefanski and his staff less than 24 hours to already fill up that spot on the 53-man roster on Wednesday morning.

On October 8, the Browns announced that they’ve signed the rookie cornerback, Dom Jones, from the practice squad to the active roster. Jones, who signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent earlier this year, had already appeared in three games this season via temporary elevations, which is the max allowed.

So, signing him to the 53-man roster was the only way he could keep playing. The 25-year-old rookie out of Colorado State has played 10 defensive snaps and 15 special teams snaps in those three appearances. With his promotion to the active roster, one thing seems clear: The Browns haven’t signed Bailey Zappe off the practice squad.

He could still be elevated on a temporary basis in the Week 6 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, sure. But as things stand, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are now the only quarterbacks on the active roster.

Besides Jones, Cleveland has also signed cornerback Dee Williams to the practice squad and placed CB Ameer Speed (foot) on the practice squad/injured. Williams is entering the second season of his career after originally signing with the Seattle Seahawks in 2024 as an undrafted free agent. The corner has suited up for 13 games so far before joining the Browns’ practice squad.

Meanwhile, the Browns’ biggest move over the past 24 hours came when they shipped 40-year-old Flacco to the Bengals, a decision that set the stage for the recent roster moves.

Kevin Stefanski cut ties with Joe Flacco after five weeks

The Browns have had a bizarre quarterback history. And Joe Flacco happened to become the latest casualty. When Cleveland brought back Flacco, the optimism was tangible: The 40-year-old was supposed to be the guy to take them back to the playoffs, like he had a few years ago.

But four weeks in, he went 1-3, completed 93 of 160 passes for 815 yards and two touchdowns, and Stefanski benched him for Gabriel. By Tuesday, the Browns had officially cut ties. The Bengals acquired Flacco and a 2026 6th-round pick (from Detroit) in exchange for a 2026 5th-round pick.

The Bengals had a quarterback need after the team lost Joe Burrow for multiple weeks due to turf toe. In his absence, Jake Browning stepped in. The backup QB surely had a good outing in the Week 2 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but things went south in the last three weeks.

The signs were clear: Zac Taylor and his crew needed a long-term option under the center, given that Burrow isn’t expected to return till mid-December. Though the rumor mill connected them with Russell Wilson for a while, the Bengals eventually settled with Flacco. As for Kevin Stefanski and Co.? For the time being, Gabriel is the QB1. But if things take a rough turn, expect Shedeur to step up.