Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Joe Royer, a former Elder High School and University of Cincinnati Bearcats standout, is absent from the team because of a personal matter, Browns general manager Andrew Berry confirmed July 30.
“I think we’ve all had situations in our lives and careers where we’re maybe dealing with a personal matter that takes precedence over our job or, in Joe’s case, football,” Berry said. “Out of respect to him and his privacy, I’m not going to go into the details other than to say that he has our full support. We’re really happy that he’s focused on kind of resolving this matter. I don’t have, like, a definite timeline in terms of when he’s gonna be back. But when he does return, which will hopefully be sooner rather than later, we’ll get him ramped up quickly.”
In April, Royer was a fifth-round draft pick of the Browns.
Royer played two seasons for UC after starting his career at Ohio State. Royer holds UC’s all-time single-season receptions record for tight ends.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Joe Royer, Browns TE from Cincinnati, leaves team for personal matter
