The Browns have one final preseason tune-up against the Seahawks before they turn their attention to the regular season.
Saturday's matchup against Seattle could feature a number of starters for the Browns as they prepare for Week 1 against the Cowboys on Sept. 8. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said they mimicked the schedule of the regular season during the week leading up to their third preseason game to help the players mentally and physically adjust.
So, with the bulk of training camp completed and one more preseason game left, we opened up the mailbag and answered your questions.
What is the state of our offensive line? – J.G.
The Browns offensive line has taken some hits over the course of the preseason. They were already without RT Jack Conklin and LT Jedrick Wills Jr., who are each continuing their recoveries from season-ending knee injuries they endured during the 2023 season. G Michael Dunn has also not practiced since Aug. 5.
They lost C Luke Wypler to an ankle injury in the first preseason game – one that will require surgery. Then, in the second preseason game against the Vikings, the Browns had three offensive linemen suffer injuries.
James Hudson III, who has taken a number of reps at left tackle throughout camp, endured an ankle injury. He did not practice throughout the week, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Hudson "will be back soon." T Hakeem Adeniji also sustained a knee injury in the second preseason game and was placed on injured reserve on Aug. 19.
However, even with the injuries, Stefanski said their outlook on their offensive line is still strong and he feels "good" about the players they have in the building. C Ethan Pocic, G Joel Bitonio, G Wyatt Teller, T Dawand Jones and G Zak Zinter have taken reps in training camp and worked to build their chemistry. T Lorenzo Thompson and T Roy Mbaeteka earned more game reps in the second preseason game against the Vikings.
T Germain Ifedi – who sustained a hand injury during the second preseason game but returned to practice during the week – continues to get reps at left tackle and has experience in a starting role over the course of his career. In his seven-year NFL career, Ifedi has started 83 of 102 career games.
"He's does a nice job," Stefanski said. "He's really done a nice job since the moment he stepped foot on campus here, getting to understand our scheme, obviously, familiarity with what we're doing, playing both right and left. Tough guy, plays hard. Like a lot of things about him."
The Browns also made some roster moves to add depth, as they traded for C Nick Harris on Aug. 11 to bring in depth at center and signed T Chim Okorafor to the roster on Aug. 19.
Training camp has provided the necessary practice time and game tape to look at different options for backups to their offensive line and how they can build depth around positions. Stefanski has seen players take advantage of training camp to showcase their versatility.
"I think versatility is so important in this game," Stefanski said. "So, the ability to play left, play right, bump inside the guard, place them at center, I mean, all those things are important for young players. And I think a lot of those guys, whether it be in games or in practice, are showing up in different spots and that takes a ton of work in the meeting rooms and a ton of work out in the field."
How is DT Jowon Briggs progressing in camp? – Joe B., Las Vegas, Nevada
Briggs has progressed well since the Browns drafted him in April, and he went through rookie minicamp, the offseason program and training camp. Briggs has worked alongside a talented defensive line filled with veteran players and had the opportunity to learn from the veterans.
He's not only had to study a new defensive scheme under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, but he's also understanding his new defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire and teammates. DE Za'Darius Smith described Briggs as a student of the game throughout the last few months.
"He's quiet, and those are the guys you want to be scared of when they're always quiet," Smith said. "But, great guy, great rookie to come in and do everything we ask him to do. I just like it, and he just wants to get better each and every day. Stay after practice, be one of the guys that's the first one in the building. So that's good, and hopefully that just carries on throughout his career."
Stefanski has also seen that progression from Briggs throughout the offseason.
"Works very hard in early, out, late," Stefanski said. "Type of kid, I shouldn't say kid. He's a grown man, married with kids, works extremely hard, powerful, and pushes his teammates. So, I think he's really progressing in our system."
What is the state of the running back room with (Nick) Chubb out? How could (Jerome) Ford, (D'Onta) Foreman or other Browns running backs step up if Chubb misses time at the start of the season? – Patch W., Los Angeles, California
Training camp and the preseason games have been an opportunity for the running back room to continue building as a unit while they wait for the return of Chubb. They have grown accustomed to new running backs coach Duce Staley, and players like Ford and Foreman have demonstrated through practice and preseason games their ability to lead the unit and establish a run game.
Ford has a season under his belt of being in the featured back role, one that he was thrown into following Chubb's injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season. Now, with a season of experience, Ford wants to build off of his success and grow as a pass protector. He also was healthy for the entirety of the preseason – an element he did not have leading into 2023 as he was injured.
"A young player that I think will continue to get better," Stefanski said. "We threw him out there on third-downs last season as a third-down running back and he wasn't perfect, but he didn't miss a beat. Physically he was good, mentally was good. And that was again without a preseason, which I remember that being a big question mark for us going into the season. Could a young player handle that role? And he did. So, excited for all the things that come with being a veteran player and getting more turns."
In the second preseason game against the Vikings, Foreman shined out of the backfield. Not only did he score the Browns only touchdown that game with a 1-yard carry, but he also finished the game with 64 total yards. He was utilized in a number of short yardage situations, but also displayed his ability as a pass catcher when he caught a short pass from QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, made a cut and ran for a 27-yard gain.
"Ran very hard, that's kind of his game," Stefanski said. "He puts his weight down and stays low and goes forward. I thought that's what he did when he got the ball in his hands and obviously had a nose for the goal line there down to our left."
The Browns are also awaiting the return of Nyheim Hines, who provides another pass catcher out of the backfield. He continues to make progress in his recovery from an ACL injury he endured in the offseason of 2023. In the meantime, though, the Browns have a solid running back unit to help establish the run game as a prominent element of the offense.
