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SALT LAKE CITY — It’s that time of the year in the NFL where teams have to cut down their rosters to 75 by Tuesday’s deadline of 4 p.m. EDT, and Monday was that time for a former Ute.
On Monday, the Cleveland Browns announced they had cut former University of Utah defensive tackle David Kruger.
Kruger, who went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft, had a good career at Utah, where he had a total of 116 tackles, 3.5 sacks and forced a fumble. He was slowed down early this year in training camp due to a concussion — he only recorded one tackle during the preseason. He was competing to get a spot on the team where the Browns were loaded — the defensive line.
David Kruger’s brother, Paul, also a former Ute, is on the Cleveland Browns' roster after coming off a great season with 42 tackles, nine sacks and one interception during his Super Bowl run with the Baltimore Ravens. In the Super Bowl he had two sacks where he helped the Ravens' defense hold the 49ers to field-goal kicks.
It's hard to see somebody put a lot of effort and time and dedication into something then not have it work out. I think he learned a lot of valuable lessons. I think it's gonna be a building experience for him.
–Paul Kruger
When asked about his brother being cut from the team, Paul Kruger told ESPN Cleveland, “It’s hard to see somebody put a lot of effort and time and dedication into something then not have it work out. I think he learned a lot of valuable lessons. I think it’s gonna be a building experience for him.”
Paul Kruger doesn’t know what the future holds for his brother David, but the Browns might have a spot for him on their practice squad.
With David Kruger getting cut, there is still a third Kruger brother from Utah trying to make the Philadelphia Eagles team, where he still has a shot for a spot on the defensive line. Joe Kruger has been practicing with the third team, where he is playing left end in the Eagles' 3-4 defensive. Joe Kruger skipped his senior season at Utah to enter the 2013 NFL Draft, where the Eagles took him with the 6th pick in the 7th round (212 overall).
This offseason, one of the division rivals of the Ravens came to Paul Kruger with a contract worth up to $40 million to sign with the Cleveland Browns. David Winkworth @Davito23
