Browns sign Nick Hayden

The Cleveland Browns have signed free-agent defensive lineman Nick Hayden, the team announced Friday.

Hayden spent the last three season with the Dallas Cowboys, starting in 47 of 48 games played as a defensive tackle. He made 48 tackles and two pass deflections last season.

Hayden will likely be used to help fill the void left by defensive end Desmond Bryant, who's expected to miss the season recovering from a torn pectoral muscle.

The 30-year-old defensive lineman has played seven seasons in the league after being selected in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.