CLEVELAND (AP) — Needing help with their run defense after another loss, the Browns agreed to acquire linebacker Deion Jones in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press on Sunday night.
Cleveland will send a late-round draft pick to the Falcons for Jones, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade is contingent on the 27-year-old passing a physical.
The deal is expected to become official today.
Jones opened the season on injured reserve after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. The 6-foot-1, 227-pounder made the Pro Bowl in 2017. He’s been with the Falcons since they drafted him in the second round in 2016 out of LSU.
On Sunday, the Browns were beaten 30-28 by the Los Angeles Chargers, who gained 238 yards rushing after entering the game ranked last in the NFL with 64.5 yards per game.
Chargers running back Austin Ekeler gained a career-high 173 yards, getting 10.8 yards a pop.
Cleveland recently lost linebacker, captain and signal caller Anthony Walker Jr. to a season-ending quadriceps injury and has missed him as a playmaker and leader. The Browns have been playing third-year linebacker Jacob Phillips in Walker’s spot.
Jones has made 83 career starts. He signed a four-year, $57 million contract in 2019 and had been the subject of trade speculation in recent months due to his salary.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
