Browns add DT Travis Bell after UFL run, waive UDFA RB TJ Harden ahead of Week 2 camp work

The Cleveland Browns continued to reshape their roster in training camp, adding defensive tackle Travis Bell and waiving undrafted rookie running back TJ Harden on Monday. The move came before the start of Week 2 of practice, a point in camp when teams typically tighten roles and make decisions about who can earn a longer look during the grind of padded sessions.

Bell’s path to Cleveland includes recent success in the UFL, according to the report. That detail matters in terms of how NFL teams evaluate depth and late-blooming talent. For many players, the spring and early-summer pro football ecosystem offers game repetitions against structured offenses, which can translate into a clearer read on readiness, conditioning, and how quickly a player can adapt to NFL-style front schemes.

Cleveland’s decision to bring in a DT also underscores a common theme for teams in camp: the defensive line rotation is where injuries, matchups, and practice performance often create immediate opportunities. Even when a team has established starters, the second- and third-unit reps determine whether a late addition can contribute on run defense, generate push in the pocket, or provide flexibility for specific looks. Adding Bell suggests the Browns saw enough in his recent work to compete for a spot, at least at the practice and depth level.

The corresponding roster move was the waiving of Harden, a UDFA running back. The report specifies Harden was on the 90-man roster, which is the league roster limit teams carry during camp before preseason reductions. Waiving an undrafted player this early is not unusual, particularly when teams are balancing development with immediate needs, such as special teams potential, ball security, and the ability to learn and execute run fits and passing-game assignments on short timelines.

The transaction came in the shadow of another reported front-office moment: the Browns were reportedly spurned by DE Jadeveon Clowney a day earlier. While the specifics of that situation were not detailed in the available account, it provides context for why roster activity picked up again quickly. When a desired target does not materialize, teams often respond by shifting focus to alternative paths, including other free-agent options and players with recent football reps.

For Bell, the immediate question is what he can do within Cleveland’s defensive line framework over the next stretch of practices. In camp, the most reliable way for a newcomer to make progress is by separating in the fundamentals, whether that means winning one-on-one gaps, holding ground versus double teams, and showing that he can be trusted with stunt or technique assignments. The Browns’ willingness to add him indicates they want more evaluation in live settings before the roster gets harder to move.

For Harden, the timing is likely about creating space for the next set of opportunities. Even though he is no longer on the Browns’ camp roster after Monday’s move, waived players can draw interest from other teams looking for running back depth, special teams candidates, or practice-squad options. The waiver process can also shape a player’s timeline, depending on how quickly another club is ready to claim or sign.

What to watch next is how quickly Bell integrates into the defensive rotation and whether the Browns’ front office makes additional moves as camp moves deeper into its Week 2 stretch. With roster decisions often cascading from week to week, Cleveland’s next transaction window could reveal more about how the team is prioritizing the interior line, as well as what kind of backfield depth they plan to carry heading into preseason.