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Cleveland Browns Bring Back Undrafted Free Agent to Practice Squad
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- Cleveland Browns Bring Back Undrafted Free Agent to Practice Squad
It's likely been a roller coaster of emotions which rivals Cedar Point's Steel Vengeance, Millennium Force, Top Thrill 2 and Siren's Curse, all rolled into one. Cleveland Browns cornerback Michael Coats Jr. was informed last week that he made the 53-man roster, but then he was waived a couple of days later.
The Browns made a series of moves to improve the back end of the defense, including claiming cornerback Mekhi Blackmon off waivers from the Colts , while adding cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. off waivers from the Bills , pushing Coats down the depth chart through no fault of his own. Now, he is back.
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Undrafted Free Agent Rookie Is Back
Coats Jr. is a 25-year-old undrafted free agent with a tremendous story. He started his playing career with East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi, before getting a shot in the FBS with the Nevada Wolf Pack in Reno in 2023.
At UNR, Coats posted 10 solo stops with three passes defensed and his first collegiate interception returned for 42 yards in a game on October 28, 2023 against New Mexico. The next season, Coats had four interceptions with 29 solo tackles, and he recorded his first multi-pick game on October 12, 2024 in a win over Oregon State.
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In 2025, he transferred to West Virginia University, and he made 22 solo tackles and 30 total stops, while recording seven passes defensed, but he did not have any interceptions. Still, the Browns apparently liked him enough to bring him in as an undrafted free agent.
Coats Jr. Showed out in Camp, Became Fan Favorite
Coats made an appearance against the Chicago Bears in the preseason opener Saturday, August 15, and while the game was mostly a disaster in the second half for the rest of the team, Coats came up with an interception, returned for two yards, while he recorded two solo tackles and two passes defensed in the debut.
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In the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field, Coats was turning heads again, flying all over the field with four total stops and three solo tackles.
However, Coats was unable to play in the preseason finale against the New England Patriots , as he was injured two days prior to that outing. He suffered a right ankle injury, and he was helped off the field by the training staff , unable to put any pressure on the leg.
Despite the injury, he was still awarded a 53-man roster spot, but he was waived shortly after , before being re-signed to the practice squad on Thursday.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
