The Cleveland Browns are evaluating veteran talent ahead of their preseason opener, bringing in several experienced players for workouts on Wednesday. Among those invited was guard Laken Tomlinson, a former first-round selection whose presence stood out for the depth of his NFL résumé.
Tomlinson, now 34, has built a lengthy career as a reliable interior lineman. He has appeared in 173 regular-season games and started 162 of them, primarily at left guard.
Most recently, he started seven contests for the Houston Texans. The Detroit Lions drafted him 28th overall in 2015. After two seasons there, he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he developed into a steady starter and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021.
Stints with the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks followed before he signed a one-year deal with Houston last offseason.
A workout does not guarantee a contract, yet it gives the Browns a chance to assess available veterans as they prepare for Saturday’s exhibition against the Chicago Bears. Cleveland has already remade its offensive line this offseason. Longtime mainstay Joel Bitonio retired, and Wyatt Teller departed.
In response, the team added Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins and Tytus Howard, then selected Spencer Fano with the ninth overall pick.
The early depth chart projects Fano, Johnson, Elgton Jenkins, Teven Jenkins and Howard as the starting five. Tomlinson would introduce seasoned competition and depth at the guard spots if the club elects to sign him.
Two defensive players also worked out alongside Tomlinson. Genard Avery, a former Brown, could complete an unexpected return. Cleveland selected him in the fifth round of the 2018 draft. As a rookie he recorded 40 tackles and 4.5 sacks while playing every game.
His role shrank the next year, and the team traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles in October 2019. Across stops with the Browns, Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts, Avery has totaled 8.5 sacks in 63 career games. He last appeared in a regular-season contest with Indianapolis in 2024.
Tyus Bowser rounded out the group. Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round in 2017, he spent seven seasons there and posted career highs of 59 tackles and seven sacks in 2021.
Overall, he has recorded 19.5 sacks and four interceptions in 98 games. After playing nine contests split between the Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins in 2024, he is now seeking another opportunity.
These tryouts reflect Cleveland’s interest in adding proven depth as the preseason begins.
Whether any of the participants ultimately join the roster remains to be seen, but the sessions offer the coaching staff a closer look at players who could contribute if injuries or performance issues arise.
