Patriots reportedly sign former Browns safety Elijah Benton to practice squad

The New England Patriots signed former Cleveland Browns safety Elijah Benton to the practice squad on Wednesday, according to a report from Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal.

Benton, 25, had visited Gillette Stadium for a workout to begin the week.

Entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Benton spent his rookie season on Cleveland’s practice squad and saw seven snaps on special teams as a standard elevation versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Liberty product agreed to remain on a futures contract in January.

Benton recorded two tackles and allowed one reception on two targets during August’s preseason slate, per Pro Football Focus. He would be waived by Cleveland at the league’s 53-man roster deadline.

The addition of Benton brings New England’s practice squad back to its capacity of 16.

The Patriots visit the Houston Texans for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff next Sunday at NRG Stadium.