CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns signed former Raiders safety Karl Joseph to his one-year, $2.5 million free agent contract despite the lack of a physical or examination of his surgically repaired right foot -- fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

“We will handle the physical later,’’ Joseph said on a conference call Monday. “My agent and the Browns were able to work something out to where we were able to finalize the contract, which I’m excited about.”

A first-round pick of the Raiders in 2016, Joseph underwent surgery in November to repair a plantar fasciitis injury in his right foot, with screws inserted. He suffered the injury in Week 10 of when he went up to swipe a Philip Rivers pass for the game-clinching interception against the Chargers and was injured when he landed.

It cost him the final seven games of the season after he started the first nine.

“I knew right when it happened something was really wrong because I couldn’t walk,’’ Joseph said then.

Joseph, 26, was the last of the Browns’ 13 offseason acquisitions to sign his contract after agreeing to terms on March 18, and the only one to do so without passing his physical. Browns GM Andrew Berry acknowledged Friday that the physical was the holdup, but didn’t anticipate any problems. In these coronavirus times, physicals must be conducted by independent doctors outside of team facilities, usually in the player’s hometown.

“The plan is to hopefully [complete a physical] when things calm down or when we get the clearance to be able to get to a doctor or a physical set up, wherever I may be whether it’s back home or hopefully in Cleveland to get that done,’’ Joseph said.

Despite the uncertainty, he’s confident the exam is just a formality.

“I don’t think it will be an issue,’’ he said. “I’m 100 percent positive that I’ll be fine with the physical. I will pass it.”

Likewise, he was never worried the deal would fall through over the past month.

“I knew that I was committed to the Browns and I was pretty sure that they were committed to me, as well,’’ he said. “Once I committed verbally, I knew that is where I wanted to be.’’

With all of the time off and rehab, Joseph said he is close to being himself again and plans to be active when facilities open.

“I’m feeling good,’’ he said. “I’m on the right track. Everything’s looking good right now. I had a post-offseason meeting with my surgeon back in February. He said everything was great. I am working my way back to running and cutting back on the field. I’m getting close back to that point. We’re just working my way back to 100 percent right now.”

He was in the midst of some of the best ball of his career when he went down, ranked the No. 38 safety by profootballfocus.com — higher than any of the Browns’ safeties in 2019.

“I did feel like I was starting to come on my own and get a little bit more confidence out there on the field,’’ he said. “It sucked to have my season end like that because I wanted a lot more out of it. We had big goals for the playoffs.

"Sometimes it doesn’t work out how you plan it. I’m grateful to be a part of the Browns, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Joining a safety room that currently features 2019 fourth-round pick Sheldrick Redwine and J.T. Hassell, Joseph sees an opportunity to start here.

“That's the goal,’’ he said. “I know there’s going to be competition. Even though I want to come in and contribute all that I can, hopefully, my goal is to win the starting job and help the defense out the best way I can. I’m a versatile player. I’m physical. I’m all about ball. I love playing football. The biggest thing I bring to the table is somebody who will compete and bring that leadership mentality to the defense.’’

Joseph knew he wanted to be a Brown the moment Berry explained to him that he’s determined to turn the Browns around and was excited to bring Joseph on board.

“I told my agent from the beginning of this whole process that for me, money was not the most important thing,’’ he said. “I loved my time with the Raiders, but the most important thing for me was just going to a place where I felt I was wanted and needed and that was going to give me an opportunity to be myself and maximize my full potential. I felt like Cleveland offered that to me. Speaking to Mr. Berry and all the coaching staff, it seems like they have this energy about them there.’’

He’s well aware of Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Myles Garrett and others already in place.

“The team has a lot of talent already,’’ he said. “We also made some great signings this offseason. The thing for us is to take the next step.’’

He found it “pretty cool” that he and former Browns safety Damarious Randall swapped teams, with Randall signing a one-year worth up to $3.25 million with the Raiders.

"Hopefully, it works out better for the Browns than it does for the Raiders,'' he said. "That’s my mindset. We’ll see what happens this season.’’

The Browns have openings at both free and strong safety with the departures of Randall, Morgan Burnett and Juston Burris -- and Joseph can play either role.

“Some people say I’m pretty good at closer to the line, but I take pride in knowing I can do all of it,’’ he said. “Wherever coach is going to need me, I am going try my best to deliver.”

Joseph hasn’t let it get him down that the Raiders didn’t re-sign him. The No. 14 pick out of West Virginia in 2016, he started only one season for the Raiders in 2017, starting 15 games with a career-best 79 tackles. He had no more than nine starts in any of his other three seasons, and the Raiders opted not to pick up his fifth-year option last year. In 41 starts, he made 236 tackles, four interceptions and one forced fumble.

He was so eager to join the Browns, he didn’t consider the one-year deal a slight.

“I see it as a great opportunity that lies ahead,’’ he said. “For me, it’s kind of a prove-it deal. Sometimes you have take [measures] to show your worth, so that’s my mindset. Hopefully, we can work out something long term. Part of choosing the Browns was also going somewhere where I felt like I would be able to grow not only on the field but off the field and in the community, as well. I’m not looking to be one year and out.’’

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