Browns place rookie Mike Hall Jr. on injured reserve. LT Wills downgraded to out with knee injury

Cleveland Browns rookie defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. was placed on injured reserve Saturday and will miss at least four games with a knee injury sustained during an indoor practice drill this week.

Also, Browns downgred tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. to out with a knee injury for Sunday's game at New Orleans.

move came days after Wills said he me a “business decision” by not playing in a game last month against Baltimore because his surgically repaired knee wasn't right. Coach Kevin Stefanski later said Wills, a first-round pick in 2020, used a “poor choice of words” in explaining his choice to sit out.

Wills was replaced in starting lineup by Dawand Jones. Wills was listed on team's injury report this week but as a “full” participant.

Hall got hurt on Thursday when Browns (2-7), who were coming off ir bye week, practiced in ir fieldhouse ahe of ir game at Superdome. Stefanski did not say if Hall needs surgery.

It's been a challenging first season for Hall, who was suspended five games by NFL following a domestic violence arrest in August. 21-year-old later pleed his case down to disorderly conduct.

Browns selected Hall in second round of this year's draft and were expected to give him more playing time over final eight games. On Thursday, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said Hall was likely going to get some snaps at end.

team also elevated wide receiver Karius Toney from practice squ and signed defensive tackle Sam Kamara and defensive end Elerson Smith to active roster.