After playing six non-divisional games, the Browns have their sights set on opening their division play on a high note, hosting the 2-4 Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday.

With a 1-5 record, each game carries an extra level of importance if the Browns are to fight back into the playoff picture.

As the Browns prepare for a big game at home this Sunday, here are the top news and notes from head coach Kevin Stefanski's time with the media on Wednesday.

Stefanski addresses Amari Cooper trade

Stefanski wished WR Amari Cooper luck during his press conference on Wednesday, a day after the Browns traded the 10-year veteran to the Bills.

"Disappointed when you lose any player for injury or otherwise, trade, whatever it is. So, I wish Amari luck and obviously I talked to him yesterday," Stefanski said. "We're excited, it opens up opportunities for other guys. But obviously you become close to your players, and you don't like to lose anybody for any reason, but we understand the business part of that and we're excited what the opportunities will be for some other guys."

With the departure of the Browns leading receiver this season, Stefanski said he expects the remaining receivers on the roster to step up in his absence. Beyond Cooper, WR Jerry Jeudy leads the Browns with 248 receiving yards on 20 receptions. No other Browns pass catcher has over 100 receiving yards yet this season.

"Amari's volume of targets was a lot," Stefanski said. "Well, those have to go to other people. So other people in the wide receiver room, the tight end room, the running back room, what have you. But we do have a lot of confidence in our guys."

The Browns received a 2025 third-round pick and 2026 seventh-round pick in exchange for Cooper and a 2025 sixth-round pick. Stefanski said that the departure of the 10-year veteran would serve as an opportunity for older receivers on the roster, such as Jeudy and Elijah Moore, to lead the wide receiver room. He also expressed confidence in pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea.

While speaking about Cooper, Stefanski was asked about his messaging to the locker room after the team traded away the five-time Pro Bowler. Stefanski said that he expects his team to remain focused on playing winning football.

"I think our guys get the number one thing here is to win. The number one thing is to compete. The truth is you do lose guys throughout the course of a season. Sometimes it's due to injury, sometimes it's due to trade, whatever it may be, and our guys have to step up when that time comes," Stefanski said.

Emphasizing playing sound offensive football

The Browns offense has struggled throughout the first six weeks of the season, averaging just 15.8 points per game – a number that accounts for two touchdowns and a safety scored by the Browns defense.

The Browns have committed the second-most penalties in the NFL this season with 50 and average 240.2 yards per game, the fewest in the NFL by 13 yards.

Stefanski said that the Browns needed to put an emphasis on cleaning up technical issues that have resulted in a lackluster offensive performance so far this season.

"I just think with where we are, we need to play sound offensive football to help our team," Stefanski said. "Sound offensive football, we all know what it looks like. It's taking care of the ball. It's being efficient and explosive on first and second down, being good in those critical moments."

Stefanski brought up the Browns' issues in the red zone and on third down as areas in need of improvement but added that the overarching problem was a result of each member of the coaching staff and each player on the roster needing to execute at a higher level.

The Browns average just 1.5 red zone trips per game this season, the lowest in the league. Cleveland's third down percentage is also the lowest in the league, as the Browns convert just 19.2 percent of their third down attempts.

"It's not just one thing. Let me say that. I obviously mentioned third down, mentioned the red zone, because those are big plays in any game. But we just need to coach better. We need to play better," Stefanski said. "There are things that we can do better with our technique. There are things that we can do as coaches and put our guys in position to succeed. So, it's multifaceted."

Injury updates

The Browns announced on Wednesday that S Juan Thornhill has been designated for return from the injured reserve list after suffering a calf injury in Week 1. A player designated for return has 21 days to be activated or must remain on the reserve list for the remainder of the season.

Stefanski confirmed that Thornhill would practice on Wednesday.

"He'll practice today. Coming off any injury, I think we got to always look at our guys, see what they look like and then make determinations throughout the week. But, excited that he's back out there," Stefanski said.

RB Jerome Ford (hamstring), S Ronnie Hickman (ankle) and C Ethan Pocic (knee) are not expected to practice on Wednesday.