BEREA -- Linebackers Lenoy Jones and Marquis Smith and defensive tackle Marcus Spriggs, who had been with the Cleveland Browns since the team's return to the NFL in 1999, were released Tuesday.

They were among 11 players cut by the Browns. The others were offensive linemen Brad Bedell, Richard Mercier and Gaylor Hyder, wide receiver Abram Booty, defensive backs Emmanuel McDaniel and Dyshod Carter, tight end Alvin Morrow and kicker Jay Taylor.

Jones, who started one game at middle linebacker last season, was the last remaining player from Cleveland's 1999 expansion draft.

Smith was selected by the Browns in the third round of their initial draft of college players after returning to the league. He started 18 games at safety in his first two seasons before being switched to linebacker last year.

Spriggs played in 18 games in his first two years but missed all of 2001 with a forearm injury.

The Browns also placed rookie offensive tackle Qasim Mitchell on the reserve-injured list. Mitchell suffered a bruised lung last week when he collided with Courtney Brown in practice.

Defensive end Michael Josiah was placed on the reserve non-football injury list.

The Browns' roster is at 72 players. They must reduce it to 53 by Sept. 1. The Associated Press