Free agent RB Thomas Clayton has been suspended four games by the NFL for an undisclosed violation.

A four-game ban is often the result of a positive test for performance enhancers. The former 49ers sixth-rounder was in camp with the Cardinals this past summer.

Cardinals waived/injured RB Thomas Clayton.

Clayton was buried behind Beanie Wells, Ryan Williams, La'Rod Stephens-Howling, William Powell, Javarris James, and Alfonso Smith on Arizona's 90-man roster. His injury was never disclosed, but Clayton wasn't going to make the team.

Cardinals signed RB Thomas Clayton.

A fringe NFL talent, Clayton has 15 career carries with the Browns and Patriots. At 28, he figures to be no more than a camp body and is unlikely to threaten Alfonso Smith for the No. 4 job.

Browns waived RB Thomas Clayton.

The Browns are quickly getting healthy in the backfield, so Clayton's services were no longer needed as insurance for third-stringer Chris Ogbonnaya. Clayton wound up with a pathetic 12 yards on eight carries during his short stay.

Thomas Clayton rushed three times for six yards in Sunday's loss to the Texans.

Even though Chris Ogbonnaya fumbled on his first carry, the Browns had no intention of giving the newly-signed Clayton real work. His only touches came deep in the fourth quarter with the game already over.

Browns signed RB Thomas Clayton.

With Peyton Hillis (hamstring) questionable and Montario Hardesty (calf) out, the Browns needed some insurance. Clayton, a 2007 sixth-round pick of the 49ers, spent some time with the Browns during last season but managed just one carry in two appearances. He's been out of the league since getting cut by the Seahawks prior to Week 1. There's no upside here, even if Hillis sits. Chris Ogbonnaya is a better bet for carries against the Texans Sunday.

Seahawks waived or released RB Thomas Clayton, FB Dorson Boyce, WR Chris Carter, OG Paul Fanaika, OL Mike Gibson, WR Ricardo Lockette, WR Owen Spencer, RB Vai Taua and WR Patrick Williams.

Clayton was given plenty of opportunities in the preseason but didn't do much with them, carrying the ball 37 times for 131 yards and a pair of scores. A sixth-round pick in 2007, he has just seven career carries for 17 yards.

Seahawks claimed RB Thomas Clayton off waivers from Patriots.

Clayton should have a much better shot at cracking Seattle's roster than he did New England's, but he's still facing long odds. Entering his age-27 season, Clayton tallied seven carries in three games between the Pats and Browns last season.

Patriots released RB Thomas Clayton.

Clayton is always bouncing on and off the Patriots' roster. He has no shot of making the team this year with at least six legit running backs in camp.

Patriots declared RB Thomas Clayton, OL Mark LeVoir, DE/LB Eric Moore, OL Rich Ohrnberger, WR Taylor Price, DT Myron Pryor, CB Jonathan Wilhite, and DE Mike Wright inactive for Monday night.

Wright is the Pats' best pass rusher, so his loss is probably most notable. Fred Taylor is active, but likely only to back up the combination of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead. There are no surprises here.

Patriots claimed RB Thomas Clayton off waivers from the Browns.

This will be Clayton's third stint with the Patriots since the beginning of August. He'll pitch in on special teams if he manages to be active on game days. With Fred Taylor back to full health, tailback depth is no longer an issue.

Browns waived RB Thomas Clayton.

Clayton, 26, appeared in two games and had one carry for zero yards in just over a month on the roster. His chances at a future NFL impact are bleak.

Browns coach Eric Mangini said the team was close to adding RB Thomas Clayton off the Patriots practice squad a few weeks ago.

Mangini also noted that they made a move because they liked Clayton, not because they were displeased with James Davis. At the very least, Clayton will be able to give the Browns some insight into the Patriots, Cleveland's Week 9 opponent.

Browns claimed RB Thomas Clayton off waivers from the Patriots.

Cleveland plays New England in Week 9 -- after a Week 8 bye -- so Eric Mangini's coaching staff gets two weeks to siphon as much information of Clayton as possible. He won't be a threat for touches in the Browns' backfield.

Patriots cut RB Thomas Clayton, and signed S Sergio Brown off their practice squad.

Clayton was buried on New England's depth chart, and the emergence of Danny Woodhead has rendered the former 49er expendable. S Jarrad Page (calf) was pronounced out for Week 7, so the Pats needed secondary depth.

Patriots re-signed RB Thomas Clayton.

Clayton was with the Patriots in camp before being waived and landing on Cleveland's practice squad. It's a sign that Fred Taylor (toe) won't be able to go on Monday night. Clayton will just be deep support behind BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Sammy Morris and Danny Woodhead.

Patriots waived RB Thomas Clayton.

New England is a horrible place for a fringe running back to try to make a team. Clayton was never going to beat out any members of the Pats' five-deep backfield.

Patriots re-signed RB Thomas Clayton.

Clayton was just waived last week, but he received a reprieve when Darnell Stapleton lost his roster spot. He could star in a preseason game or two, but he won't make the final roster.

Patriots waived RB Thomas Clayton.

Clayton usually looks decent in practice, but has never earned playing time in real games. He was out-shined by BenJarvus Green-Ellis in New England.

Patriots signed RB Thomas Clayton, formerly of the 49ers.

Clayton was a sixth-round pick in 2007 that tore his ACL in San Francisco's training camp last season. He's a serious long shot to make the Pats' final roster.