The Cleveland Browns today placed tight end Steve Heiden and punter Dave Zastudil on injured reserve, the team announced. In addition, the club was awarded wide receiver Jake Allen off waivers from Green Bay and linebacker Arnold Harrison off waivers from Pittsburgh.
"Steve and Dave worked extremely hard this year, and you don't like to see anyone's season end prematurely because of an injury," said Browns Head Coach Eric Mangini. "They both provided a veteran presence that will not be easy to replace."
Heiden appeared in seven games with six starts this season, recording 10 receptions for 73 yards with one touchdown.
Zastudil registered 49 punts for a 44.7-yard average, including a net of 39.1, with 25 punts inside the 20, a figure which ranked second in the league.
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Packers on May 2, 2008, Allen spent the entire 2008 season on Green Bay's practice squad. He spent the first seven weeks of this season on the Packers' practice squad before being elevated to the 53-man roster on October 27. He then saw action in one contest while being inactive for two others. The 6-4, 196-pound Allen was a three-year letterman at Mississippi College (2005-07) in Clinton, Miss., and is a native of Laurel, Miss.
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Steelers on May 2, 2005, Harrison appeared in 28 regular season contests with two starts in four seasons, totaling 12 tackles on defense and 22 tackles on special teams. He saw action in eight games this season, recording seven tackles on special teams. A four-year letterman at the University of Georgia (2001-04), the 6-3, 241-pound Harrison is a native of Augusta, Ga.
