Browns cut kicker Gonzalez after early-season struggles

The Cleveland Browns released kicker Zane Gonzalez, who missed crucial field goals and extra points in both Week 1 and Week 2, the team announced Monday.

To replace him, Cleveland signed undrafted rookie Greg Joseph.

Gonzalez had been playing with an injured groin, according to Schefter, and was scheduled for an MRI on Monday.

His struggles on the field cost Cleveland multiple chances to win its first game since 2016. Against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Gonzalez failed to convert a field goal at the end of the fourth quarter that would have forced overtime. The second-year pro also missed another field goal and two extra points in the affair - one that would have given the Browns a late lead.

A week earlier in the season opener, Gonzalez missed badly on an overtime field-goal attempt that would have secured the victory for Cleveland against the Pittsburgh Steelers.