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Zach Brown

For other people named Zach Brown, see Zach Brown (disambiguation).

Zachary Vinzale Brown[1] (born October 23, 1989) is an American former professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. He has also played for the Buffalo Bills, where he made the Pro Bowl, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, and Arizona Cardinals.

Zach Brown
refer to caption
Brown with the Washington Redskins in 2017
No. 55, 53, 52
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1989-10-23) October 23, 1989 (age 35)
Beaufort, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school:Wilde Lake (Columbia, Maryland)
College:North Carolina (2008–2011)
NFL draft:2012 / round: 2 / pick: 52
Career history
Career highlights and awards
NFL record
  • Most interceptions returned for touchdown in a game: 2 (tied)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:664
Sacks:17.5
Forced fumbles:6
Fumble recoveries:3
Interceptions:7
Defensive touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Track and field

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Brown was a standout football, wrestling and track athlete at Columbia (MD) Wilde Lake High School. In track, he captured the state class 3-A title in the 100 meters, with a time of 10.67 seconds, becoming one of a few athletes (Andre Martin 1992 100m & 200m; Matt Holthaus 1990 800m, 1600m & 3200m) in school history to win a state title in track. In the 200 meters, his best time was 21.52 seconds. Brown graduated from Wilde Lake in 2007.

Brown also ran track and field for the North Carolina Tar Heels, where he recorded a personal best time of 6.72 seconds in the 60 meters. He also competed in the 200 meters, posting a best season time of 21.75 seconds.

Also known because of his unusual size (6 ft 1 in and 250 lb) and speed for a linebacker, Brown recorded a time of 4.28 seconds time in the 40-yard dash while he was at North Carolina.

Wrestling

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Brown was also an accomplished High School wrestler, finishing his senior season with state, region and county championships in the 215 lb weight class. He was undefeated in his senior year with a record of 25–0. Brown finished his junior year with a record of 30–1 as a state runner-up and county and region champion, with his lone loss coming to two time state champion John Holloway of Magruder High School. As a freshman, Brown was a county runner-up in the 171 lb weight class and took third in his region. He did not place in the state tournament, finishing his freshman year with a record of 23–6.

College career

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Brown graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2011. Brown spent his freshman year as a reserve linebacker and contributed on special teams. Next year, Brown started six games at weak-side linebacker and also competed on the University of North Carolina track team. As a junior, Brown placed second on the team in tackles and was captain of the special teams unit despite only starting five games. Zach Brown tallied 105 tackles (13.5 tackles for a loss), 3 interceptions, and 5.5 sacks in his senior year.

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Brown attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and completed the majority of combine drills, but opted to skip the three-cone drill, short shuttle, and bench press. On March 19, 2012, Brown participated at North Carolina’s pro day and performed all of the combine drills except for the broad jump. Brown performed a private workout for the Baltimore Ravens and attended a pre-draft visit with the Detroit Lions.[2][3] At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Brown was projected to be a second or third round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the sixth best outside linebacker prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com, was ranked the sixth best linebacker by NFL analyst Gil Brandt, and was ranked the ninth best outside linebacker by NFL analyst Mike Mayock.[4][5]

External videos
video icon  Zach Brown’s NFL Combine Workout
video icon  2012 NFL Draft Profile: Zach Brown
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1+1⁄4 in
(1.86 m) 		244 lb
(111 kg) 		33+1⁄4 in
(0.84 m) 		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		 4.48 s 1.62 s 2.64 s 4.32 s 7.26 s 35 in
(0.89 m)		 9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)		 22 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[6][7]

Tennessee Titans

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2012

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The Tennessee Titans drafted Brown in the second round (52nd overall) in the 2012 NFL draft.[8] Brown was the eighth linebacker drafted 2012.[9][10][11]

External videos
video icon  Titans draft Zach Brown 52nd overall

On May 12, 2012, the Titans signed Brown to a four-year, $3.85 million contract that includes $1.81 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.24 million.[12] Throughout training camp, Brown competed against Will Witherspoon to be the starting weakside linebacker.[13] Head coach Mike Munchak named Brown the backup weakside linebacker, behind Will Witherspoon, to begin the regular season.[14]

External videos
video icon  Week 17 Can’t Miss Play: Zach Brown to the house

He made his professional regular season debut in the Tennessee Titans’ season-opener against the New England Patriots and made three combined tackles during their 34–13 loss. The following week, Brown earned his first career start after Will Witherspoon was moved to middle linebacker after Colin McCarthy injured his ankle and was sidelined for three games (Weeks 2–4).[15] Brown finished the Titans’ 38–10 loss at the San Diego Chargers with ten combined tackles (six solo) and also recorded his first career sack. Brown sacked Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers for a five-yard loss during the second quarter.[16] On November 11, 2012, Brown recorded four solo tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first career interception during a 37–3 victory at the Miami Dolphins in Week 10. Brown intercepted a pass by Dolphins’ quarterback Ryan Tannehill, that was intended for wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, and returned it for a 47-yard gain during the fourth quarter before being tackled by Tannehill.[17] In Week 12, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (eight solo) during a 24–19 loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars. On December 30, 2012, Brown made four combined tackles, three pass deflections, one sack, and returned two interceptions by Chad Henne for two touchdowns during a 38–20 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17. Brown intercepted a pass by Henne, that was intended for tight end Marcedes Lewis, and returned it 79–yards for his first career touchdown during the second quarter. During the third quarter, he intercepted a pass intended for wide receiver Toney Clemons and returned it for a 30-yard touchdown.[18] Brown finished his rookie season in 2012 with 93 combined tackles (68 solo), 5.5 sacks, five pass deflections, three interceptions, two touchdowns, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble in 16 games and 14 starts.[19]

2013

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External videos
video icon  Zach Brown intercepts Matt McGloin’s pass
video icon  Zach Brown’s fumble recovery

Brown entered training camp slated as the starting weakside linebacker after Will Witherspoon departed for the St. Louis Rams during free agency. Head coach Mike Munchak named Brown and Akeem Ayers the starting outside linebackers to begin the regular season. They started alongside middle linebacker Colin McCarthy.[20] He started in the Tennessee Titans’ season-opener at the Pittsburgh Steelers and made eight solo tackles, deflected a pass, and made a season-high two sacks during a 16–9 victory. In Week 2, he collected a season-high 12 combined tackles (11 solo) during a 30–24 loss at the Houston Texans.[21] In Week 15, Brown was benched during a 37–34 overtime loss against the Arizona Cardinals. He was demoted to a backup role for the following game.[22] He finished the season with 91 combined tackles (52 solo), five pass deflections, four sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble in 16 games and 13 starts.[19]

2014

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On January 4, 2014, the Tennessee Titans announced their decision to fire head coach Mike Munchak after the Titans finished the previous season with a 7-9 record.[23] Head coach Ken Whisenhunt hired Ray Horton to replace Jerry Gray as the Titans’ defensive coordinator and also changed the defense from a base 4-3 defense to a base 3-4 defense.[22] Brown was moved to inside linebacker and competed for a starting role against Wesley Woodyard, Colin McCarthy, Moise Fokou, Zaviar Gooden, and Avery Williamson.[24] Head coach Ken Whisenhunt named Brown and Wesley Woodyard the starting inside linebackers to begin the regular season, along with outside linebackers Derrick Morgan and Kamerion Wimbley.[25] Brown started in the Tennessee Titans’ season-opening 26-10 victory at the Kansas City Chiefs, but exited in the first quarter after injuring his shoulder.[26] On September 16, 2014, the Tennessee Titans officially placed Brown on injured reserve for the rest of the 2014 NFL season after it was discovered that Brown has torn his pectoral muscle in Week 1.[27][28]

2015

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External videos
video icon  Andrew Luck picked off by Zach Brown
video icon  Zach Brown sacks Brian Hoyer for a six-yard loss

Throughout training camp, Brown competed against Wesley Woodyard and Avery Williamson to regain his role as a starting inside linebacker.[29] Head coach Ken Whisenhunt named Brown and Avery Williamson the starting inside linebackers to start the season. They started alongside outside linebackers Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan.[30] On September 27, 2015, Brown recorded five combined tackles, deflected a pass, and made an interception during a 35–33 loss against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3. Despite his performance, assistant head coach Dick LeBeau demoted Brown to a backup inside linebacker.[31] Wesley Woodyard replaced him as the starter for the remainder of the season. In Week 6, he collected a season-high 12 combined tackles (eight solo) during a 38–10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.[32] Brown finished his last season with the Tennessee Titans with 77 combined tackles (55 solo), three pass deflections, two interceptions, and was credited with half a sack in 16 games and five starts.[19] He received an overall grade of 69.9 from Pro Football Focus in 2015, which ranked 30th among all qualified linebackers.[33]

Buffalo Bills

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On April 4, 2016, the Buffalo Bills signed Brown to a one-year, $1.25 million contract that includes a $450,000 signing bonus.[12][34] Throughout training camp, Brown competed for a role as a starting inside linebacker against Reggie Ragland, Brandon Spikes, Preston Brown, and David Hawthorne.[35] Brown earned a starting role after Reggie Ragland tore his ACL at the beginning of training camp.[36] He started alongside Preston Brown and starting outside linebackers Jerry Hughes and Lorenzo Alexander.[37]

External videos
video icon  Week 4: Zach Brown Highlights
video icon  Zach Brown forces fumble by Jacoby Brissett

He started the Buffalo Bills' season-opener at the Baltimore Ravens and recorded eight combined tackles during their 13–7 loss. On October 2, 2016, Brown collected a career-high 17 combined tackles (12 solo) and made one sack in the Bills' 16–0 victory at the New England Patriots in Week 4. On December 11, 2016, Brown made seven solo tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during a 27–20 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14.[38] On December 20, 2016, it was announced that Brown was selected to be an alternate for the 2017 Pro Bowl.[39] On December 27, 2016, the Buffalo Bills announced their decision to fire head coach Rex Ryan after the Bills finished the season with a 7–9 record and did not qualify for the playoffs. Assistant head coach and running backs coach Anthony Lynn was named the interim head coach for the Bills' final game.[40] Brown started in all 16 games for he first time of his career and recorded a career-high 149 combined tackles (97 solo), four pass deflections, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception.[19] Brown finished the season with the second most tackles among all players, behind Bobby Wagner who had 167 combined tackles.[41] On January 23, 2017, it was announced by the NFL that Brown was selected to play in the 2017 Pro Bowl as a late replacement for New England Patriots' linebacker Dont'a Hightower.[42][43]

Brown became an unrestricted free agent in 2017 and was considered a top free agent linebacker by NFL analysts. He met with multiple teams, including the Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, and Buffalo Bills. The Buffalo Bills were interested in re-signing Brown, but would later withdraw their contract offer.[44]

Washington Redskins

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2017

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On April 3, 2017, the Washington Redskins signed Brown to a one-year, $2.30 million contract that includes $700,000 guaranteed and a signing bonus of $500,000.[12][45] Brown entered training camp slated as a starting inside linebacker. Head coach Jay Gruden named Brown and Mason Foster the starting inside linebackers to begin the regular season. They started alongside outside linebackers Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith.[46]

On October 23, 2017, Brown collected a season-high 13 combined tackles (ten solo) and made a season-high 1.5 sacks during a 34–24 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7. On December 10, 2017, Brown made ten combined tackles (five solo), but was carted off the field in the fourth quarter of the Redskins’ 30–13 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers due to a foot injury. Brown was sidelined for the last three games of the regular season (Weeks 15–17).[47] Brown finished the season with 127 combined tackles (84 solo), 2.5 sacks, and two pass deflections in 13 games and 13 starts.[19]

2018

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External videos
video icon  Zachary Brown stuffs Josh Adams for loss on fourth and goal

On March 15, 2018, the Washington Redskins signed Brown signed a three-year, $24 million contract that includes $10 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $4.50 million.[12][48] Head coach Jay Gruden retained Brown, Foster, Kerrigan, and Smith as the starting linebackers in 2018. On December 30, 2018, Brown recorded a season-high 11 combined tackles (nine solo) as the Redskins lost 24–0 against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17.[49] He finished the 2018 NFL season with 96 combined tackles (69 solo), one sack, and one pass deflection in 16 games and 12 starts.[19] Brown received an overall grade of 89.2 from Pro Football Focus in 2018. His grade was the third best grade among all qualified linebackers during the season.[50]

On March 13, 2019, Brown was released by the Redskins.[51]

Philadelphia Eagles

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On May 3, 2019, Brown signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.[52] He was released on October 14, 2019, after starting the first six games of the season for them.[53]

Arizona Cardinals

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On November 1, 2019, Brown was signed by the Arizona Cardinals, but was released five days later.[54][55]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2012 TEN 16 14 93 68 25 5.5 11 3 156 2 79 5 1 2 6 0
2013 TEN 16 13 91 72 19 4.0 9 1 3 0 3 5 1 1 0 0
2014 TEN 1 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2015 TEN 16 5 77 55 22 0.5 4 2 45 0 45 3 0 0 0 0
2016 BUF 16 16 149 97 52 4.0 11 1 0 0 0 4 2 0 0 0
2017 WAS 13 13 127 84 43 2.5 12 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
2018 WAS 16 12 96 69 27 1.0 10 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0
2019 PHI 6 6 31 17 14 0.0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
100 80 664 462 202 17.5 59 7 204 2 79 22 6 3 6 0

References

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  1. ^ "Zach Brown". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  2. ^ "Columbia Native Zach Brown works out for Ravens". russellstreetreport.com. April 12, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  3. ^ "Detroit Lions NFL Draft prospect: North Carolina linebacker Zach Brown". Mlive.com. April 15, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  4. ^ "Mike Mayock's top 100 NFL draft prospect rankings". NFL.com. April 23, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  5. ^ "2012 NFL Draft Hot 100 + 25: Final ranking of top prospects". NFL.com. April 24, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  6. ^ "Zach Brown Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  7. ^ "Zach Brown College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  8. ^ "2012 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  9. ^ Metcalf, Andrew (August 31, 2012). "Columbia's Brown Shedding Stigma, May Start for Titans – Columbia, MD Patch". Columbia.patch.com. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  10. ^ "Tennessee Titans prepare Linebackers for San Diego Chargers in case sprain keeps Colin McCarthy sidelined » Clarksville, TN Online". Clarksvilleonline.com. October 31, 2009. Archived from the original on September 21, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  11. ^ "Tennessee Titans 2012 Season Preview". Fox News. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  12. ^ a b c d "Sportrac.com:Zach Brown". Sportrac.com. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  13. ^ Minton, Chad (August 18, 2012). "Zach Brown Making Strong Case to Be Starter for Tennessee Titans". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  14. ^ Morris, Jimmy (August 31, 2012). "Your 2012 Tennessee Titans Roster (For Now)". musiccitymiracles.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  15. ^ "Colin McCarthy Injury Update: Elite Fantasy LB Still Sidelined". sbnation.com. September 23, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  16. ^ "Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers - September 16th, 2012". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  17. ^ "Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins - November 11th, 2012". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  18. ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans - December 30th, 2012". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  19. ^ a b c d e f "NFL Player stats: Zach Brown (career)". NFL.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  20. ^ "Ourlads.com: Tennessee Titans Depth Chart: 09/05/2013". Ourlads.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  21. ^ "NFL Player stats: Zach Brown (2013)". NFL.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  22. ^ a b "NFL: Titans expect more from linebacker Zach Brown". jacksonsun.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  23. ^ "Mike Munchak fired by Tennessee Titans". NFL.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  24. ^ "Titans' Colin McCarthy faces climb up depth chart". tennessean.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  25. ^ "2014 Tennessee Titans Virtual Program: Depth-Chart Analysis and X-Factors". bleacherreport.com. September 4, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  26. ^ "Zach Brown exits opener with shoulder injury". 247Sports.com. September 7, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2019.[dead link‍]
  27. ^ "Titans put Zach Brown on IR". cbssports.com. September 16, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  28. ^ Morris, Jimmy (September 8, 2014). "Zach Brown Injury Update: Titans LB Likely Lost for Season". musiccitymiracles.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  29. ^ Vingan, Adam (August 12, 2015). "Titans' Wesley Woodyard could face diminished role". tennessean.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  30. ^ "Ourlads.com: Tennessee Titans Depth Chart: 09/01/2015". Ourlads.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  31. ^ Glennon, John (October 15, 2015). "Titans' Zach Brown disappointed by demotion". tennessean.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  32. ^ "NFL Player stats: Zach Brown (2015)". NFL.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  33. ^ Zucker, Joseph (April 4, 2016). "Zach Brown to Bills: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  34. ^ "Zach Brown signs one-year deal with Bills". ESPN.com. April 4, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  35. ^ "7 Bills training camp observations: Day 9 (8/9/16)". WKBW.com. August 9, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  36. ^ Wesseling, Chris (November 23, 2016). "Zach Brown, Lamar Miller among top free agent hits". NFL.com. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  37. ^ Pruso, Sean (September 2, 2016). "Bills projected 53-man depth chart following roster cuts". billswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  38. ^ "Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills - December 11th, 2016". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  39. ^ "NFL announces 2017 Pro Bowl rosters". NFL.com. December 20, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  40. ^ Rodak, Mike (December 27, 2016). "Rex Ryan fired as Bills' postseason drought reaches 17 seasons". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  41. ^ "NFL Statistics: Tackles (2016)". NFL.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  42. ^ "Bills LB Zach Brown named to Pro Bowl". BuffaloBills.com. January 23, 2017. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  43. ^ "Bills LB Zach Brown named to 2017 NFL Pro Bowl". billswire.usatoday.com. January 23, 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  44. ^ "Buffalo Bills free agent Zach Brown to visit Washington Redskins". buffalorumblings.com. April 3, 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  45. ^ Patra, Kevin (April 3, 2017). "Zach Brown, Washington Redskins agree on 1-year deal". NFL.com.
  46. ^ "Redskins release first unofficial depth chart of the 2017 regular season". hogshaven.com. September 5, 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  47. ^ Tesfatsion, Master (December 11, 2017). "Redskins' Chris Carter fractures fibula, Zach Brown undergoes MRI". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  48. ^ Czarda, Stephen (March 15, 2018). "Redskins Re-Sign Linebacker Zach Brown". Redskins.com.
  49. ^ "NFL Player stats: Zach Brown (2018)". NFL.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  50. ^ "Pro Football Focus: Zach Brown". profootballfocus.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  51. ^ "Redskins Release Zach Brown, Stacy McGee". Redskins.com. March 13, 2019.
  52. ^ McPherson, Chris (May 3, 2019). "Eagles sign LB Zach Brown". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  53. ^ Smith, EJ (October 14, 2019). "Eagles release linebacker Zach Brown days after he roasts Kirk Cousins". Inquirer.com. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  54. ^ Urban, Darren (November 1, 2019). "Cardinals Sign LB Zach Brown, Release RB Alfred Morris". AZCardinals.com.
  55. ^ Urban, Darren (November 6, 2019). "Cardinals Activate Max Garcia, Place Clinton McDonald On IR". AZCardinals.com.
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