Carrico continues to battle for roster spot as Browns training camp enters 2nd week

BEREA — A nice ending could lead to a nice beginning for Ironton’s Reid Carrico.

The media covering the Browns’ preseason camp have reported that second-year player Dillon Gabriel has been the most consistent quarterback through the first four days.

However, rookie linebacker Reid Carrico intercepted a pass just inside the end zone to end practice on Saturday.

The two-time first team All-Ohio linebacker who played at Ohio State and West Virginia, was invited to the Browns’ rookie tryout camp and was signed and invited to play in the fall camp.

Carrico said he often reflects on former Ironton standout and coach Danny Pride who played linebacker for Chicago Bears.

“When the days get tough, I often think about Coach Pride, and now that I have seen it first hand what the NFL is like, I respect him even more,” said Carrico.

Pride played three seasons as a starter for the Bears before a knee injury ended his career prematurely.

Carrico is trying to make an impression on the Browns’ coaching staff to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

Currently, the Browns have eight linebackers in camp that include 2025 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger, Quincy Williams, Nathaniel Watson, Edefuan Ulofoshio, Winston Reid, Justin Jefferson and Easton Mascarena-Arnold.

A ninth linebacker would be 6-year veteran Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, but he is currently on the physically unable to perform list.

Williams is an 8-year veteran, Watson and Reid are in their third season, and Uloshio is in his second year. Carrico, Jefferson, and Mascarena-Arnold are rookies.

Williams was the strongside starter last season, Schwesinger started in the middle and Reid was the weakside starter. Watson was a reserve in the middle and Mascarenas-Arnold a weakside reserve.

Athough Carrico was not drafted, the coaching staff was intrigued by his profile and saw him as a highly physical tackler. Also, having played on special teams in college could help him make the team by proving he is indispensable on coverage teams.

However, even if Carrico isn’t able to beat out Jefferson or Mascarenas-Arnold for a depth position on the 53-man roster, he is expected to remain with the team on the practice squad which will enable the Browns to develop his raw physical tools.