BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have claimed offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper on waivers from the New England Patriots, the team announced Monday.
Cooper is a well-traveled former first-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals. He was traded to the Patriots in the offseason along with a second-round draft pick for defensive end Chandler Jones.
Cooper was the seventh overall pick in the 2013 draft. He was taken one spot after the Browns took linebacker Barkevious Mingo, who was traded to New England at the end of training camp.
Cooper started 11 games in Arizona and was inactive for four games in New England before he was released on Saturday.
However, Cooper was slated to start in New England. He was with the first team at right guard through the spring and the start of training camp but was sidelined by a foot injury on the third day of camp. While he was out, Shaq Mason took over at right guard and played well enough to keep the job. Cooper was taken off New England's injury report last week, a few days before his release.
Cooper played in 24 games in three seasons in Arizona, but he missed the 2013 season with a broken left fibula.
The Browns have used three different starting centers this season. Cameron Erving's bruised lung forced the Browns to move John Greco from right guard to center. Alvin Bailey took over at right guard.
Bailey did not play in Week 4 against Washington because of an OVI arrest earlier in the week. Austin Reiter started at center with Greco at guard. Reiter played well but tore his ACL late in the loss.
Reiter went on injured reserve Monday, which opened the spot for Cooper. The team also released offensive lineman Anthony Fabiano.