Browns Release Billy Cundiff, Sign Garrett Hartley: Latest Details and Reaction

The Cleveland Browns have made a kicking change with three games left in the regular season as Billy Cundiff was released to make room for Garrett Hartley.

The Browns confirmed the switch:

Adam Schefter of ESPN provided more details about Cundiff's exit:

The extent of the knee ailment is unknown. He was struggling even before suffering the injury, though. Cundiff connected on just 76 percent (22 of 29) of his field-goal attempts and had missed at least one kick in each of the past five games.

Those numbers are actually similar to the ones posted by Hartley with the New Orleans Saints last season. He went 22 of 30 before getting released late in the campaign. He did make at least 80 percent of his kicks in all of his first four years.

It's impossible to know exactly what to expect from Hartley after being without competitive action for an entire year. But he'll be thrust right into the playoff race as the Browns attempt to keep their slim postseason hopes alive with a win over the division rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.