The Browns begin their preparation for the second week of the regular season, traveling to take on the Jaguars at Jacksonville on Sept. 15.
"What they do offensively is really challenging. They got a very talented quarterback as we've all seen," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Play makers on the perimeter. They added to their wide receiver room. Evan Ingram, really, really good player, was very difficult to cover last year for us. So, he's a challenge. Run game, multiple up front, they really do different things. Defensively, good guys up front, good guys in the back end. They can play coverage. They can play man. They can play zone. They can pressure you with great players up front."
Here are the top pieces of news and notes.
David Njoku out for Week 2
TEDavid Njoku sustained an ankle injury during the third quarter of the season opener against the Cowboys. Njoku was originally ruled questionable to return, but he did not return to the game.
On Monday, Stefanski said that Njoku was considered week to week with the ankle injury. Then, on Wednesday, Stefanski said that Njoku would be out for Week 2 against the Jaguars. However, he was not placed on injured reserve.
"Beyond this week, we'll have to see how it goes," Stefanski said.
Other injury updates
The Browns made a series of roster moves on Wednesday, as they placed DT Maurice Hurst II, LB Tony Fields II, S Juan Thornhilland LB Mohamoud Diabateon injured reserve. Stefanski said all four players have the potential to return.
Stefanski was unclear when Hurst's injury occurred during the season opener, but knew that Hurst had been playing through the injury.
Stefanski said Thornhill's calf injury began to bother him late in the game but was not aware of the exact play. Stefanski confirmed that the calf was the same one that he dealt with during the 2023 season.
"I think they're all related to each other when you're talking about any type of lower body extremity," Stefanski said. "But he's worked so hard in the off season, I think he's in great shape. It's just an unfortunate thing."
The Browns will have their starting tackles back out on the practice field on Wednesday, as Stefanski said LT Jedrick Wills Jr. and RT Jack Conklinwill practice. Neither played in the season opener against the Cowboys as they continue to return from season-ending knee injuries they endured during the 2023 season.
Check out photos of the team working to prepare for their game this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 12, 2024.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 12, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 12, 2024.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 12, 2024.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Linebacker Khaleke Hudson (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 12, 2024.
Linebacker Luji Vilain (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 12, 2024.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Director of Strength and Conditioning Larry Jackson during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 12, 2024.
Tight end Cameron Latu (82) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 12, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) and Assistant Special Teams Coach Stephen Bravo-Brown during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Chad O'Shea during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Tight end Cameron Latu (82) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Offensive Line Coach Andy Dickerson during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Linebacker Luji Vilain (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 12, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Bubba Ventrone during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2024.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 12, 2024.
Assistant Special Teams Coach Stephen Bravo-Brown, during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 12, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Tight end Geoff Swaim (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 13, 2024.
Deshaun Watson will play in Week 2 against Jaguars
The NFL said they would review a civil suit filed against QB Deshaun Watsonto see if he violated the NFL personal conduct policy. The Browns released the following statement on Tuesday.
"We will respect the due process our legal system affords regarding the recently filed civil suit and follow the NFL's guidelines on this matter."
Stefanski began his Wednesday press conference by addressing the situation. Stefanski said that Watson will play in Week 2 against the Jaguars, and that not playing Watson was never a consideration. Stefanski added that Watson is focused on the game ahead.
"Regarding Deshaun's legal situation, we put out a statement yesterday," Stefanski said. "I won't have much to add past that statement. We'll let due process play out and follow the NFL guidelines. We are 100 percent focused on Jacksonville; 100 percent focused on going on the road against a good football team, trying to find a way to get a W."
