Free agent RB Brandon Jackson worked out for the Bucs.

Fellow free-agent running backs Delone Carter and Darius Reynaud were also in attendance. It could be a sign the Bucs are preparing to be without Doug Martin (shoulder) the rest of the season. More than likely, Tampa is just seeing what these guys have to offer. Jackson, 28, is nearing the end.

Browns released RB Brandon Jackson.

Jackson, 28 in October, just isn't very talented, and the Browns see more potential in UDFAs Dennis Johnson and Bobby Rainey. Look for Chris Ogbonnaya to be Trent Richardson's top backup. Jackson is now a free agent.

Browns RB Brandon Jackson is officially Trent Richardson's backup.

Coach Rob Chudzinski offered Jackson a very mild endorsement after Montario Hardesty landed on injured reserve Tuesday. "Brandon is a reliable guy. I have no issues with Brandon." Newly anointed FB Chris Ogbonnaya could also get carries behind T-Rich. Rather than waste a roster spot on Jackson's 3.9 career yards per carry average, Richardson owners would be best off not handcuffing their RB1 despite his injury history.

Browns OC Norv Turner mentioned Brandon Jackson as a candidate to replace Dion Lewis (fractured fibula) as Cleveland's No. 2 back.

Injury machine Montario Hardesty and FB/TB Chris Ogbonnaya are the other candidates to replace Lewis. Ultimately, it's a handcuff situation to avoid for drafters of Trent Richardson. The duo or trio would likely play in a heavy rotation were T-Rich to get hurt. Turner praised Ogbonnaya as a "third-down back."

Browns re-signed RB Brandon Jackson to a one-year contract.

Jackson, 27, signed a two-year, $4.5 million deal with the Browns prior to 2011, but he only appeared in two games for the team. He battled turf toe in his first season and was a healthy scratch for much of 2012. Jackson will compete with Montario Hardesty, Dion Lewis, and Chris Ogbonnaya for backup duties.

Impending free agent RB Brandon Jackson is not expected back with the Browns.

Jackson was a free-agent bust after inking a two-year, $4.5 million deal with Cleveland prior to the 2011 season. He missed his entire first season with the team due to turf toe, and in 2012, Jackson was a regular inactive and appeared in just two games. Jackson rushed a grand total of eight times for 54 yards. The Browns are said to be looking for a change-of-pace back in the draft or free agency.

In addition to CB Joe Haden, the Browns declared RB Brandon Jackson, S Raymond Ventrone, CB Dimitri Patterson, FB Owen Marecic, DT Ronnie Cameron, and OG Jarrod Shaw inactive for Week 11.

Buster Skrine will start in place of Haden. Sheldon Brown will be the Browns' right cornerback. The nickel back will be Arizona rookie Trevin Wade.

Brandon Jackson was a healthy scratch in Sunday's loss to the Bengals.

Chris Ogbonnaya took over third-down duties and Montario Hardesty was the backup. There's no real handcuff here for Trent Richardson owners.

Browns declared RB Brandon Jackson, WR Jordan Norwood, S Ray Ventrone, LBs James-Michael Johnson and Tank Carder, and OL Oniel Cousins inactive for Week 2 against the Bengals.

Jackson is a mild surprise after being the third-down back in Week 1. Chris Ogbonnaya and Montario Hardesty will back up Trent Richardson. Johnson is out with a rib injury.

Brandon Jackson did not record a carry in the Browns' Week 1 loss to the Eagles.

Trent Richardson surprisingly went the distance as the sole ball carrier on early downs. Jackson was limited exclusively to third downs, chipping in two catches for 20 yards on four targets. If Richardson were to go down at some point, he'd share the workload with Montario Hardesty.

ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi believes that Brandon Jackson has "got to be" the No. 2 running back behind Trent Richardson.

The No. 2 running back position has been up for debate all preseason, with Montario Hardesty flashing early and Jackson coming on late in camp. Hardesty couldn't hold onto the rock in game action and Jackson is a superior pass protector, so signs do point to Jackson having a grasp on the job. Either way, if you're handcuffing Richardson with one of these two, then you're in trouble. There are far better options.

The Akron Beacon-Journal confirms Brandon Jackson is a "serious threat" to Montario Hardesty's No. 2 job.

Hardesty created buzz early in camp, but killed it in the preseason by losing two fumbles and plodding to just 97 yards on his 30 carries. He failed to make a catch. Jackson, meanwhile, took the rock 34 times for 135 yards, and added four grabs for 26 yards. With the entire local media theorizing Jackson has surpassed Hardesty, he's the handcuff to own for Trent Richardson owners.

ESPN Cleveland believes Brandon Jackson may have "stolen" the No. 2 running back job from Montario Hardesty.

Hardesty had a rough month. In four preseason games, he rushed 30 times for just 92 yards (3.2 YPC) and lost two fumbles. Jackson picked up 135 yards and 34 carries (4.0 YPC), added a touchdown and didn't fumble at all. If Trent Richardson (knee) can't play in Week 1, we're likely looking at some kind of committee.

After Montario Hardesty fumbled in a second straight preseason game, Brandon Jackson opened Sunday's Browns practice with the first-team offense.

The first-team back will be Trent Richardson once he's healthy, but the No. 2 job is up for ongoing battle. Hardesty is a much better runner than Jackson, but the latter has proven to be more reliable and versatile. Either way, the Browns' running game would surely struggle if Richardson suffered another injury.

Tony Pluto of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer says Brandon Jackson has "established himself as the No. 2 back."

This directly contradicts ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi, who calls a healthy Montario Hardesty the favorite for the top backup job behind Trent Richardson. With the No. 2 job locked down, Pluto anticipates only one of Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya making the team. The former was a 2010 second-round pick, but Ogbonnaya's special teams contributions may give him the edge.

ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi says Brandon Jackson is "competing for a backup role now".

Recovered from a turf toe injury that cost him the entire 2011 season, Jackson has been hyped up recently after looking "fast and explosive" in OTAs. He' sure to see some occasional third down work, but rookie Trent Richardson won't be leaving the field much. Jackson will be lucky to see a dozen snaps most weeks.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer confirms Browns RB Brandon Jackson is 100 percent recovered from his case of turf toe, and has looked "fast and explosive" in OTAs.

Jackson missed all of 2011. Per beat writer Mary Kay Cabot, Jackson could be featured "at times" on third down. Cabot reported last week that Jackson would be "featured" on third downs. Third down will be where the majority of Jackson's snaps come, but No. 3 pick Trent Richardson should also be in line for plenty of third-down work.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer expects Browns RB Brandon Jackson to be "featured" on third downs this season.

The Browns signed Jackson primarily for his blitz-pickup ability last offseason, but he missed the season due turf toe. The possibility of losing passing-down work to Jackson is a concern for Trent Richardson's rookie-year fantasy value. Coach Pat Shurmur showed a tendency to pull his bellcow backs on third downs both in St. Louis (Steven Jackson) and Cleveland last year (Peyton Hillis).

Browns RB Brandon Jackson (turf-toe surgery) is participating in OTAs this week.

Jackson should be back to full health, allowing him to compete with Montario Hardesty to be Trent Richardson's primary backup. TE Alex Smith (shoulder), SS T.J. Ward (foot), DE Emmanuel Stephens (strained pectoral), and P Reggie Hodges (Achilles) also returned to practice.

ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi expects Brandon Jackson - not Montario Hardesty - to be Trent Richardson's primary backup.