BEREA (92.3 The Fan) - The Cleveland Browns cut 9 players Sunday trimming their roster to 80 the team announced.

Receiver Carlton Mitchell, a 2010 sixth round draft pick, was the most recognizable name on the list to be waived by the team.

“This is the tough time of year for a coach,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “Because you develop a relationship with the players; they compete extremely hard for you. You’ve got to make tough decisions and let guys go.”

Mitchell tweeted news of his release Saturday, which the team would not confirm until Sunday morning.

“It’s been real, but God has a plan. Shout out to #BrownsNation seriously thank you, I am very Blessed,” Mitchell tweeted.

Mitchell appeared in 16 total games, 11 last season, and caught just 3 passes for 31 yards.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Carlton,” Shurmur said. “He’s flashed and done some good things here, but again we’ve got to make hard decisions and unfortunately he’s not with us anymore.”

Mitchell was saddled with a variety of injuries since being drafted, including a leg injury this year which kept him out of most of training camp.

“We were hopeful that he could show us everything that he could do,” Shurmur said. “Unfortunately the last couple of years he’s dealt with injuries. If you’re a guy who’s proven that you can play in this league and you’re injured, that works in your favor. You proven it. For guys that haven’t proven that you can play in this league and you struggle to stay on the field and practice, that’s not in your favor.”

Also cut Sunday were offensive linemen Jake Anderson and Matt Cleveland, defensive back Emanuel Davis, linebacker JoJo Dickson, punter Spencer Lanning, and receivers Bert Reed, Jermaine Saffold and Owen Spencer.

Rosters must be cut to 75 by 4 p.m. Monday.

The initial 53 man roster must be set by 9 p.m. Friday.

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