Jack Conklin took a big step toward the end of his recovery marathon Monday on the Browns' fifth practice of training camp.
Conklin, the Browns' seventh-year veteran tackle, was activated from the active/PUP list and back on the practice field for the first time since Week 12 last season. He spent the offseason in Cleveland recovering from a season-ending knee injury, which followed a recovery from a previous elbow injury earlier in the season and limited him to a career-low seven games, and was finally back working with an offense that certainly missed his presence last year.
"I thought it was awesome to see No. 78 walking out here," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "I have told you guys, he has worked so hard. I'm really proud of how hard he has worked."
Stefanski highlighted Conklin back on the first day of training camp for his commitment he showed during his rehab. Conklin was constantly at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus during his recovery and was around so much that Stefanski jokingly wondered if he was living there.
"I think he may have had a cot set up somewhere in the building," he said.
Conklin was still involved in team meetings and helped the offensive line go through daily tasks during the offseason program, which earned even more respect from Stefanski.
Soon enough, he'll be back in full capacity for team drills, too. He was limited Monday and didn't participate in team drills, but that's all part of the plan for him to be gradually eased back into action.
"He's worked really hard," Stefanski said. "It's still a process. He's not all of the way back. We have time to work him back up to speed but really excited to see No. 78 out there."
Here's what else you might've missed from Day 5 in Berea.
Check out photos of players and coaches working throughout camp
Tight end David Njoku (85) meets with fans during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Joe Thomas meets with Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) and Safety John Johnson III (43) meet with fans during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (58) and Defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey (97) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Joe Thomas teaches the offensive tackles during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Joe Thomas teaches the offensive tackles during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Joe Thomas teaches the offensive tackles during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Offensive tackle Chris Hubbard (74) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Safety John Johnson III (43) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Safety Jovante Moffatt (41) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) and Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) signs autographs for fans after the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Kicker Cade York (3) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27), Running Back Coach Stump Mitchell, Running back Nick Chubb (24) and Running Back D'Ernest Johnson (30) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Wide receiver Mike Harley Jr. (82) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Defensive end Isaac Rochell (98) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Wide receiver Derrick Dillon (80) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Wide receiver Ja'Marcus Bradley (84) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Cornerback Parnell Motley (48) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Defensive end Isaac Rochell (98) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Brandon Lynch during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Cornerback Shaun Jolly (49) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
Running Back Coach Stump Mitchell during the fifth day of training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 1, 2022.
