The Browns played just 36 players in Thursday's preseason finale at Chicago. And though the 24-0 result wasn't what Cleveland wanted, the purpose behind playing so few players played out exactly as Mike Pettine hoped.
"Best news is that we came out of it healthy, just a few minor dings here and there," Pettine said. "I thought we did some good things. A couple of guys stepped up. You're likely to have a result like that when you sit down as many guys as we did but I think for the most part our guys battled."
Here were the five we saw step up in a big way.
LB Hayes Pullard Jr.
The seventh-round pick started and received his most extensive work of the preseason. He had three tackles, one of which went for a loss, and was constantly around the ball. Pullard smiled and shook his head in the locker room when he was asked about his near pick-6. He promised he'd spend more time on the JUGS machine at practice.
WR Josh Lenz
The unheralded receiver capped off his productive preseason with his best game as a Brown. He made all four of his catches in the first half and led the way with 49 yards. He tried to set the tone early as a starter and showed good chemistry with quarterback Thaddeus Lewis. Lenz also played a little safety because of the Browns' number crunch on defense. Lenz has been through the waiting game before, and there's no telling whether or not he'll make the final 53, but he said he looks back on his August and early September with "no regrets."
Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown throws a pass to running back Isaiah Crowell as the Browns quarterbacks coach Kevin O'Connell watches before an NFL preseason football game
Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears
WR Terrelle Pryor catches a pass in pregame warmups
OL Joe Thomas smiles in pregame warmups before the Browns face the Bears
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor taking pregame reps
Every player has their own form of pregame prep
Cleveland Browns quarterback Thad Lewis (3) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine talks to Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould (9) before an NFL preseason football game
Chicago Bears' Terrance Mitchell (20) is tackled by Cleveland Browns' Vince Mayle (85) on a kick off return during the first half of an NFL preseason football game
Cleveland Browns quarterback Thad Lewis (3) looks for a receiver during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns quarterback Thad Lewis (3) hands off the ball to running back Terrance West (28) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns quarterback Thad Lewis (3) runs against Chicago Bears linebacker Willie Young (97) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Lenz is tackled by Chicago Bears free safety Brock Vereen (45) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game
Browns wide receiver Vince Mayle looks to make a play on special teams
Chicago Bears plays against Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL preseason football game
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Lenz makes a catch against Chicago Bears defense during the first half of an NFL preseason football game
Cleveland Browns running back Terrance West (28) battles for extra yards
Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford (36) is tackled by Cleveland Browns strong safety Ibraheim Campbell, defensive back Joe Rankin and defensive end Billy Winn (90)
Cleveland Browns running back Shaun Draughn (20) runs against Chicago Bears linebacker Mason Foster (53)
Browns wide receiever Vince Mayle makes a sliding reception
Offensive coordinator John DeFillippo relaying the play to QB Thad Lewis
Fans cheer on the Browns at Soldier Field
Fans cheer on the Browns at Soldier Field
Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor looks to pick up a block down-field
DL John Hughes stands on the sidelines
OL Cameron Erving standing on the sidelines
Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine talks to Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears
DB Ibraheim Campbell
No one played more snaps in the preseason than Campbell, who started alongside Jordan Poyer and continued to show how productive he can be as a thumper out of the defensive backfield. Campbell led the Browns with seven tackles Thursday and finished as the preseason leader with 20. The fourth-round pick out of Northwestern made the most of his extended duty and showed he can be counted on when the season starts.
DE Billy Winn
The fourth-year defensive lineman was all over the field and provided constant disruption throughout Thursday's first half. Winn faced some adversity early in training camp when he went down with a knee/ankle injury but he bounced back and gave his best effort to show he belongs on the 53-man roster. Winn was frank about his uncertain status after the game, but, like Lenz, he can take solace in the fact he put his best foot forward in his final audition.
LB Tank Carder
This was the most the Browns have seen from Carder at linebacker in the preseason as Karlos Dansby, Craig Robertson and Christian Kirksey all rested Thursday. Coaches have raved about Carder and said they want to get him more involved in the defense, and his performance Thursday showed why. He finished second on the team with five tackles and showed good command in the center of the defense.
