Berea, OH -- (Sports Network) - The Cleveland Browns signed defensive back Gary Baxter and fullback Charles Ali to one-year contracts on Thursday.

Baxter, 29, joined the Browns in 2005 as a free agent from Baltimore, but he played in just five games before suffering a season-ending right pectoral injury.

In 2006 he played in just three games after he suffered a patellar tendon injury against Denver on October 23. He missed all of last year while continuing his rehabilitation.

"Gary has shown great determination in his attempt to come back and we feel this contract will give him the opportunity to do that here in Cleveland," Browns general manager Phil Savage said. "We look forward to having him at close to 100 percent by training camp."

Over seven seasons with Baltimore and Cleveland, Baxter has appeared in 62 games and During his seven year career with the Ravens and Browns, he has recorded 296 tackles, three sacks and eight interceptions.

Ali earned a spot on the Browns' roster last season as an undrafted rookie. He played in 13 games, mostly on special teams.