The Browns announced the game status for a handful of players ahead of Week 5 against the Commanders.
RT Jack Conklin, G Michael Dunn, TE David Njoku, RB Pierre Strong Jr. and LT Jedrick Wills Jr. are questionable.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said the plan for Njoku this week was to practice on Wednesday, rest on Thursday and work on Friday as he works his way back from an ankle injury he sustained in Week 1 against the Cowboys. Njoku was a limited participant on Wednesday and did not participate on Thursday.
"I think he's working very hard to get back," Stefanski said of Njoku. "Have to see how he is tomorrow, see how he responds to practice that type of thing."
Strong, who suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 against the Jaguars and was considered week to week, has continued to make progress. He was a limited participant in practice both on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.
"He's done a nice job with his rehab, worked very hard, has stayed engaged throughout the meetings," Stefanski said. "I think that's another big part of this with our players when they go on IR and they know they're out for a little bit, or they don't, and they know they're going to miss maybe a couple weeks, and they have to stay engaged. And I think it's really important to stay engaged mentally. So, he's worked very hard to get his body ready, but he's also worked hard in that meeting room understand what we're trying to do. So, we'll see where it goes. But he's trending in the right direction."
Check out photos of the team working to prepare for their game this week against the Washington Commanders at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back Nyheim Hines (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Pass Game Specialist/Tight Ends Coach Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Linebacker Khaleke Hudson (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (97) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Linebacker Michael Barrett (48) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Tight end Geoff Swaim (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
The Browns will also continue to work through their tackle situation, as they await to see how Conklin and Wills come out of both Friday's practice and Saturday's walkthrough before there is a determination about their status for Sunday's game. Stefanski said they have an idea of their plan in place, depending on the different potential outcomes.
"With Jack, it's making sure he's ready to go physically," Stefanski said. "I've gotten to see him work out. I've gotten seen him try like crazy to get back and practice. So, he's certainly a guy that when he's ready, we'll use him."
RB Nick Chubb, LB Jordan Hicks, RB Nyheim Hines, T James Hudson III and DE Alex Wright are all listed as out for Sunday's matchup against the Commanders.
Chubb returned to practice for the first time on Wednesday since his season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season. He was a limited participant in practice as he works his way back. Stefanski said they are taking Chubb's return day by day and making sure he's feeling good in his progress.
"Looks like himself to me," Stefanski said of Chubb. "It's good to have him out there. It's good to have him in individual drills, and then out there on the practice field, giving a look to our defense on scout team. Can't remember last time he did that. But he looks good."
Stefanski said that Hicks, who did not participate in practice this week with rib, elbow and triceps injuries, is not a candidate for IR. Stefanski also said Hudson aggravated a shoulder injury he's been dealing with since Week 3 against the Giants.
Hines also returned to practice for the first time on Wednesday since his season-ending knee injury he sustained in the 2023 offseason. He was a limited participant on Wednesday and Thursday. Stefanski said he's been able to watch Hines put in hours in the training room and stay engaged in the meeting room as he worked his way back. Both Hines and Chubb spent time in the offseason
"He's certainly felt like a big part of this really throughout," Stefanski said. "So, I'm excited that he's getting back out there, and we'll kind of see when he's ready."
Wright underwent successful surgery on Thursday in Dallas to repair his torn triceps that will force him to miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
"Disappointed for Alex," Stefanski said. "He was playing well for us. Made some really big plays, none bigger than that play in Jacksonville. So disappointed for him. I know he'll bounce back. Already had the surgery. Excited for him to get back when he does, but ultimately, it's never fun when you lose a guy for a year like that."
