Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire.
Kyle Lauletta, who was on the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad, has been signed by the Cleveland Browns to be their backup quarterback for Saturday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mike McCarthy confirmed the signing.
The Athletic's Jackson reported Friday that the Browns are signing both Lauletta and Jake Dolegala, who will serve as the third emergency quarterback.
Nick Mullens, who is in line to start against the Raiders, was the only active signal-caller on the roster.
The second half of the 2020 season was spent on the practice squad by Lauletta. He signed a reserve/futures contract with the organization in January but was released after the preseason. He joined the practice squad a few days later.
Since the New York Giants selected him in the fourth round of the NFL draft, he has only appeared in two regular-season games. He failed to complete any of his five throws in the relief appearances.
Lauletta had a good college career with the Spiders. He had 85 total touchdown ( 73 passing and 12 rushing) and 35 intercepts.
If he is forced to play in a pinch against the Raiders, his knowledge of the offense should allow him to handle it.
Dolegala has been around the league since being drafted out of Central Connecticut. He has been with Cincinnati, New England, Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins.
The New York native has never attempted a regular-season pass.
The team is trying to make a late surge into the playoffs.
The 8-7 record of the Cleveland Browns is eighth in the league. The top seven teams in each conference are eligible for the playoffs. The Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills are both 6-7 and hold the last two spots.
The team's playoff hopes will be affected by how long the COVID outbreak lasts as it faces a difficult schedule down the stretch. The Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cincinnati Bengal are the other teams it will face after facing the Raiders.
