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C.J. Smith: Cleveland Browns promote DB to active roster

By Alex Butler
The Cleveland Browns promoted defensive back C.J. Smith to the active roster on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Eagles/Twitter.
The Cleveland Browns promoted defensive back C.J. Smith to the active roster on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Eagles/Twitter.

Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The Cleveland Browns have promoted defensive back C.J. Smith from the practice squad.

Cleveland also waived defensive back Darius Hillary. The transactions were announced on Saturday.

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Smith, 24, entered the NFL in 2016 as an undrafted free agent signing by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles cut Smith during roster cuts on Sept. 4, 2016 before signing him to the practice squad again the next day. He appeared in 10 games last season after being promoted to the active roster, but failed to make a tackle.

The 5 foot 11, 188 pound defender began the 2017 season on the Eagles' practice squad. He spent the past 12 weeks on the Browns' practice squad.

The North Dakota State product will wear No. 35 in Cleveland.

Hillary, 24, spent the first eight weeks of the season on the Browns' practice squad. He appeared in one game and was inactive for four other contests. Hillary had 138 tackles, 19 passes defensed, an interception, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries in 54 games at Wisconsin.

He is dealing with a knee injury and was questionable to play in Week 15.

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The Browns face the Baltimore Ravens at 1 p.m. Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.

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