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Surprising Cleveland Browns linebacker gets reps with first-team defense

The Cleveland Browns are going to have a new starting linebacker on their defense in 2019 after releasing Jamie Collins earlier in the offseason. The open spot has created a competition, albeit a quiet competition.

The expectation was second-year linebacker Genard Avery would be taking over the job after showing plenty of potential in his rookie season. However, he has been working with the defensive ends often and was with the second-team defensive line during minicamp.

That has opened the third linebacker spot next to Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey for Adarius Taylor, who the Browns signed to a two-year, $5 million deal this offseason.