The Browns have terminated the contract of offensive lineman Paul McQuistan, who appeared in 14 games with one start in 2014.
A 10-year NFL veteran, McQuistan was taken in the third round by the Raiders in the 2006 NFL draft. McQuistan has also spent time with the Jaguars and Seahawks. With Seattle, McQuistan earned 40 starts in 48 games played from 2011-2013.
Browns coach Mike Pettine said Thursday offensive lineman John Greco will likely start at center and offensive lineman Paul McQuistan will start at right guard Week 7 at Jacksonville. The starting lineup along the offensive line is undergoing changes in the wake of center Alex Mack's leg injury.
Tight end Jordan Cameron (shoulder) is not the only Browns player listed as questionable for the Sunday game against Baltimore. Second-year linebacker Barkevious Mingo (shoulder) has received the same designation.
All the other Browns on their Friday injury report aside from shelved running back Ben Tate (knee) are probable. They are wide receiver Travis Benjamin (knee), defensive ends Desmond Bryant (wrist) and John Hughes (hamstring), punter Spencer Lanning (shoulder), offensive lineman Paul McQuistan (ankle) and cornerback Buster Skrine (thumb).
Healthy scratches make up only two of the seven players on the inactive list posted Sunday by the Browns for their season opener in Pittsburgh. Defensive lineman Desmond Bryant (wrist) is the lone injured starter.
Also out are cornerbacks Pierre Desire (knee) and Robert Nelson, linebacker Eric Martin (concussion), offensive lineman Paul McQuistan (ankle), defensive lineman John Hughes (hamstring) and running back Glenn Winston.
The Browns have listed nine players on the injury report Week 1.
Both Paul McQuistan and John Hughes have been ruled out for the contest. Defensive lineman Desmond Bryant has been listed as doubtful.
The team did list five players as probable. Cornerbacks Pierre Desir, Joe Haden and Buster Skrine should all be good to go. So will safety Jim Leonhard, linebacker Eric Martin and long-snapper Christian Yount.
Browns defensive lineman Desmond Bryant was unable to practice Wednesday as he recovers from wrist surgery, and he remains questionable for Sunday's game.
Offensive lineman Paul McQuistan (ankle) also missed practice, while linebacker John Hughes (hamstring) was a limited participant. Both linebacker Eric Martin (concussion) and cornerback Buster Skrine (thumb) participated fully.
Free agent offensive lineman Paul McQuistan, formerly of the Seahawks, has agreed to terms with the Browns, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "He has versatility," Cleveland general manager Ray Farmer said. "The guy played a lot of tackle last year. He’s played guard."
After Seahawks rookie Michael Bowie was a surprise starter at left guard in the divisional playoffs against the Saints, the rookie was inactive for the NFC Championship Game with James Carpenter and Paul McQuistan sharing the spot, reports the News Tribune of Tacoma, Wash. Coach Pete Carroll said competition at the spot remains open.
"It's one of those deals that it's so close, the competition is so keen that it can go either way," Carroll said, per the paper. "And we thought the experience would help us and didn't put too much pressure on Michael in that instance. But he's going to be very competitive as we move forward. Here goes another couple weeks, and we'll see what happens."
Seahawks left tackle Russell Okung's toe injury could sideline him six weeks, according to the News Tribune. The paper notes that Okung's replacement, Paul McQuistan, allowed two sacks in three quarters Sunday against San Francisco after Okung got hurt.
Okung allowed two sacks in 15 games last season.