Published 18:26 IST, December 4th 2019

Chris Smith: Cleveland Browns release defensive end 83 days after tragic accident

Chris Smith Cleveland Browns stint has come to an end after the Browns announced that they have defensive tackle Justin Zimmer and released Chris Smith.

Reported by: Colin DCunha
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Cleveland Browns have anunced that y have parted ways with defensive end, Chris Smith. Smith featured in nine games for Cleveland Browns this season but failed to impress. This could majorly be down to fact that his girlfriend Petara Cordero was tragically killed in an accident on I-90 in September earlier this year.

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Chris Smith's car accident

Cordero struck passenger side door of a veering Mazda on shoulder of I-90. She was later transported to Fairview Hospital where she was prounced dead. Speaking after tragic accident, Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens threw his weight behind Chris Smith, saying that defensive end was well-liked in locker room and that every Browns player sympathised with his loss. Kitchens continued by saying that Chris Smith was important to team and to locker room as a whole.

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Chris Smith was a former fifth-round pick of Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014. He played in all 16 games for Browns last season and started in two of those games. Smith collected 21 tackles and a sack during that period. Interestingly, Chris Smith was in uniform on September 16 for game against New York Jets, just days after his personal loss. Smith played in games that followed as well. He was also impressive in Browns’ most recent game, rematch against  Pittsburgh Steelers. Fortunately, since Chris Smith is a veteran, he is eligible to collect termination pay and receive his full salary for year. That, however, may prove to be a mir consolation for former Jaguars’ defensive end in trying times like se.

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Chris Smiths' Browns contract terminated; Browns w facing squad depth issues

move to release Chris Smith could have an adverse effect on Browns’ squad depth this season. Cleveland Browns parted ways with defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence last week. y also decided to trade defensive end Genard Avery to Eagles in October. Myles Garrett is suspended for season for his role in physical altercation with Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, while Olivier Vern has been dealing with a knee injury.

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10:16 IST, December 4th 2019