Browns’ Armonty Bryant and teammate arrested early Saturday

Cleveland Browns linebacker Armonty Bryant will not play in Sunday’s game at Kansas City after he and safety De’Ante Saunders were arrested Christmas morning following a traffic stop.

Bryant, who has a history of legal troubles, is not traveling with the team so he can tend to the legal matter. Browns General Manager Ray Farmer issued a statement Saturday critical of the players’ behavior.

“These are charges that we take very seriously,� Farmer said. “The importance of responsible decision-making is something we continually stress to all members of our organization, which makes it extremely disappointing that these two individuals would put themselves in this situation by making such poor decisions.�

Farmer added the incident is subject to the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Saunders was cited for driving under the influence after a traffic stop in suburban Brook Park at 2:16 a.m. Christmas Day, according to a State Highway Patrol citation. He was driving 75 mph in a 60 mph zone, the citation said.

Saunders, 23, refused a breath test, according to the citation, meaning he automatically loses his license for a year.

In addition, a gun was confiscated from Saunders’ car, said patrol spokesman Lt. Craig Cvetan. Information about the gun will be forwarded to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office for potential charges, since Saunders does not have a concealed weapons permit, Cvetan said.

Saunders is scheduled for a 9:30 a.m. hearing Monday in Berea Municipal Court.

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Browns Coach Mike Pettine gave his players the holiday off so they could be with their families.

Bryant is second on the team with 5 1/2 sacks this season, his third with the Browns. The 25-year-old was drafted in the seventh round in 2013 from East Central Oklahoma, where he had some off-field problems. He was arrested for driving under the influence less than a week after Cleveland drafted him. He was also suspended for three games in college for selling marijuana to an undercover officer.

Saunders has been on Cleveland’s practice squad.

The Browns (3-11) will visit the Chiefs on Sunday before ending the regular season at home against Pittsburgh on Jan. 3.

Etc.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant didn’t make the trip to Buffalo because of foot and ankle issues and might be out for the season. The San Francisco 49ers have promoted former Australian Rugby League star Jarryd Hayne from the practice squad. The team placed offensive lineman Alex Boone on injured reserve Saturday to make room on the roster. Hayne is eligible to play Sunday at Detroit. ...

Packers cornerback Sam Shields will miss his second straight game because of a concussion when Green Bay faces the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Quinten Rollins figures to join fellow rookie Damarious Randall in the starting lineup again to replace Shields in a game that could impact NFC playoff seeding.

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