CB Greg Newsome II channeled a certain Marvel Comics mutant known for his regenerative healing abilities as he fought back from an offseason hamstring surgery that threatened his availability for the start of the season.

"You know, everybody was saying six to eight weeks," Newsome said after returning to practice Aug. 27. "I said, I'm Wolverine, I'll be back before that."

Newsome was training over the offseason at Northwestern University, where he built his name as a lockdown defender, when he heard a pop in his knee.

Over the next two days, Newsome didn't notice any pain and didn't think anything of what had happened. An MRI test proved otherwise.

Newsome revealed Tuesday that the surgery he underwent to repair his torn hamstring wasn't required but provided more long-term security for the young defensive back. While his prognosis threatened his availability for Week 1 of the regular season, Newsome worked tirelessly to make it back onto the practice field, nearly two weeks before the Browns will take on the Cowboys on Sept. 8.

"A thousand percent," Newsome said when asked if he would be ready to play against Dallas.

The cornerback is coming off a season in which he posted career highs in passes defensed (14), interceptions (2) and total tackles (49). Newsome was a critical part of a defense that reached historic levels and made an impact in key plays – perhaps none bigger than his fourth quarter pick-six against the Ravens in the Browns' thrilling 33-31 Week 10 victory over their division rival.

However, Newsome has moved on from last year's success. The Browns' loss to the Texans in the Wild Card round, Newsome said, motivated him and his teammates to follow up last year with an even better performance.

So far, Newsome observes, it's been working.

"We all have that bad taste in our mouths from that playoff game," Newsome said. "So, I think we all went into the offseason with a mindset and a goal. I think when everybody came back, I feel like as a group, we had our best OTAs. Even just watching practice, I feel like the group did an unbelievable job during this training camp. So, now it's time to reinsert myself in there and just continue trending up."

Getting back into football shape is no easy task. Newsome noted that there isn't a way to replicate the strength and endurance built on the football field in the weight room alone. However, despite being limited physically, Newsome made his voice heard, both in the meeting room and on the practice field.

When the Browns defense dominated the Vikings offense in joint practices, Newsome was on the sideline with his teammates, celebrating as if it was him who had made the play.

"I'm always going to do that," Newsome said. "The team's first, whether I'm hurt or not I feel like I'm one of these leaders, one of the leaders on the team. So, I'm always going to stay engaged, just try to keep the guys up. I always try to be that extra coach, extra set of eyes for them when I'm not on the field."

As team oriented as they come, Newsome saw the benefits of an otherwise unfortunate situation. A first-rate competitor, the fourth-year cornerback wanted nothing more than to get back on the field. However, while he missed reps, others had more chances to step up and prove themselves as viable options in the Browns secondary.

Rookie CB Myles Harden had a strong camp, especially during joint practices, and made the 53-man roster. Cameron Mitchellshowed his progress after a promising rookie season.

"I look at everything as a blessing," Newsome said. "Like, me getting hurt, obviously I never want to get hurt, but we had guys like Cam [Mitchell] getting more reps, Myles Harden emerged as the steal of the draft. So, guys like that being able to get more reps and me just helping and coaching along, like it was fun to see."

Mitchell and Harden's emergence adds depth to an already-loaded Browns cornerbacks room. Martin Emerson Jr. led the team with four interceptions last season and impressed star WR Justin Jefferson as the two battled during joint practices. Denzel Ward earned his third Pro Bowl nod last year.

Few cornerbacks rooms across the league feature such a wide range of talented veterans and young players as the Browns. Newsome doesn't think that's a coincidence.

"It's just the standard we hold ourselves [to]," Newsome said. "It starts up top with [cornerbacks] Coach [Brandon] Lynch, he instills greatness all the time. And we say all the time we expect the most from our best players. So, if you watch Denzel out there, me, Martin, we're all setting that example. So, when you come in and you see us doing things right and always practicing hard, guys have to follow suit."

Lynch has been with the Browns for the entirety of Kevin Stefanski's tenure as head coach and has served as a keystone piece of an elite defensive coaching staff. Earlier in training camp, he expressed his appreciation for Newsome's leadership as the Browns prepare to once again sport one of the best corners groups in the NFL.

"Greg embodies everything about our team mantra and he's certainly a smart player," Lynch said Aug. 8. "So, from The Greenbrier all the way up to where we are now, he has not missed a beat. Whether it be Zoom interviews, whether it be in person meetings here, he's constantly helping the guys. He's done a really good job leading."

As Newsome's leadership transitions from the meeting room to the practice field to game day, his goals haven't and won't change. He, simply put, wants to win and will do whatever it takes to wash last year's playoff loss away with a winning performance in 2024.

"My expectations are the same every year," Newsome said. "It's just to try to do whatever I can to help this team win. Whether that's special teams, outside, inside, whatever I need to do, I'll be willing to do it to help this team achieve our ultimate goal."