NFL Rumors: Browns Owner Okay with Signing Ray Rice, GM says talk is ‘Premature’

Ray Rice might get another shot in the NFL after all.

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is reportedly okay with adding the 28-year-old running back to the roster. Haslam, who spoke with ESPN's Bob Holtzman, stated that the decision would ultimately be up to his football people.

General manager Ray Farmer acknowledged that Rice's name has come up in their discussions before adding that the talks are "premature."

"Right now I'd say it's all premature in my mind," Farmer said prior to Thursday night's preseason opener against the Redskins. "We're interested in seeing what our young guys can do. Focused on them. Giving them the opportunity to demonstrate whether they can or they can't. I think we've got some talented young guys. Ray's had his career. We kind of know what he is. We think we know. There's a lot of tape."

Head coach Mike Pettine has also spoken about Rice in regards to how none of the running back on the team has yet to stand out and fight for the top spot. However, Pettine clarified that they were not at the point where they were reaching out to Rice.

Running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery also expressed his frustrations over the young players.

He said to reporters last week, "How can you play and not want to be a starter?"

Rice, who was one of the more dominant players in his position, was suspended from the game after his domestic abuse scandal. The last time that Rice has played in a professional was in 2013. In six seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Rice has amassed a total of 6,180 yards and 37 touchdowns. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry.