The Cleveland Browns are gearing up for the 2024 campaign after making a somewhat unexpected trip to the playoffs last year. Despite the fact that they dealt with a plethora of injuries to their best players, the Browns persevered and managed to make a run to the postseason. The hope is that, with all their top players back, they will be able to go on an even further run this upcoming campaign.

Things seem to be trending up for the Browns, but the same can't be said for defensive end Lonnie Phelps. The second-year lineman ended up getting himself arrested on Wednesday night after he drunkenly crashed his SUV into a restaurant in Florida, immediately throwing his future with the team up in the air.

“Cleveland Browns defensive end Lonnie Phelps was charged with drunken driving Wednesday night after police said he crashed his SUV into a Florida restaurant. Phelps also faces a charge for damaging property following the incident at the Red Shoe Island Bistro in Key West. Phelps, 23, was taken into custody after refusing to cooperate with officers, according to a Monroe County Sheriff's Office report obtained by Cleveland.com.” – ESPN

Sure enough, the Browns waived Phelps on Thursday, per Adam Schefter.

Lonnie Phelps finds himself in quite a bit of hot water

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) scrambles from Cleveland Browns defensive end Lonnie Phelps (63) during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Photos of the crash show that Phelps' car hit the side of the restaurant, and initial estimates of the damage came in at $300,000. Given the fact that he was allegedly drunk behind the wheel, and the damage he caused to the restaurant, it's safe to say that Phelps will find himself in quite a bit of trouble here.

After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Phelps latched on with the Browns and spent the entire campaign on their practice squad before signing a futures contract with him at the end of the season. Now, though, his spot on the team is no more.

Phelps didn't play at all for the Browns last year, but the hope was that he could develop into a contributor on their deep defensive line. He was already facing long odds to make the team's initial 53-man roster, but now he just ruined any chance of that.

Regardless of his future status in the NFL, this is a pretty dangerous situation that he caused for other folks. Perhaps he gets another chance from another team, but this certainly won't help his cause.