The Sports Xchange

The Cleveland Browns signed former St. Louis Rams quarterback Austin Davis on Monday as insurance because of backup Johnny Manziel’s sore right elbow.

Davis could be ready serve as the backup to starter Josh McCown when the Browns open the season Sunday against the New York Jets as Manziel continues to deal with the sore elbow that kept him out of the final two preseason games.

The 6-foot-2, 221-pound Davis is in his fourth NFL season out of Southern Mississippi. Originally signed by St. Louis as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Davis made his NFL debut last season, appearing in 10 games (eight starts) with the Rams.

Davis completed 180 of 284 passes (63.4 percent) for 2,001 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions with the Rams. He was released by the Rams on Saturday.

The Browns placed defensive back Charles Gaines (hamstring) on the injured reserve/designated for return list. Gaines, a sixth-round pick this year, will be eligible to return to practice in Week 6 and eligible to play in Week 8.

The Browns also signed offensive lineman Garth Gerhart and defensive lineman Dylan Wynn to the practice squad.

The 6-1, 310-pound Gerhart is officially in his second NFL season out of Arizona State. He rejoins the Browns after initially signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and spent that season on the practice squad. He appeared in two games with the Green Bay Packers last season. His brother, Toby, is a running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Wynn signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in May and was waived during final roster cuts.

On Sunday, the Browns announced eight players to their practice squad: running back Shaun Draughn, defensive backs Kendall James and De’Ante Saunders, wide receiver Darius Jennings, offensive linemen Erle Ladson, Andrew McDonald and Darrian Miller, and linebacker Hayes Pullard III.