CLEVELAND — On his way out the door, Paul Kruger lowered his helmet and drilled the Browns.

Andy Lee simply got booted. Slippery Rock University graduate and offensive lineman Cory Tucker was released as well.

The Browns began the final week of the preseason in tumultuous fashion as Kruger, a veteran linebacker and one of the team’s leaders was released, Lee was traded to Carolina after failing to attempt a tackle in Tampa Bay, and the team waived defensive back K’Waun Williams, recently suspended in a dispute over an injury.

Talk about a manic Monday.

Kruger’s departure stunned several of his teammates, who are still coming to grips with the team’s new front office overhauling the roster with younger players.

Following his release, the 30-year-old Kruger blasted the organization on Twitter for a “wrong decision.”

Kruger, who spent three seasons with the Browns, Kruger thanked owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam and the team’s “relentless” fans before expressing his disappointment.

Kruger said his release was mishandled and called it “unfortunate and absolutely the wrong decision.”

Three days after he was scolded on the sideline for not trying to tackle a punt returner on a 73-yard TD return, Lee was traded to the Panthers for punter Kasey Redfern and a 2018 fourth-round pick. A three-time Pro Bowler with San Francisco, Lee will help the Panthers offset the loss of Mike Scifres, who injured a leg on Friday.