As the Browns enter their Week 6 matchup against an Eagles team fresh off their bye week, head coach Kevin Stefanski is determined to correct the offensive mistakes and defensive mishaps that have landed them with a 1-4 record.

"Starting our work week for the Eagles," Stefanski said on Wednesday. "Obviously, a good football team, very well coached on all three sides of the ball. Good players up and down the roster. So, have to have a good week of preparation for this one and we're getting started in that vein."

Here are the top news and notes heading into Week 6.

Offensive struggles a symptom of a lack of execution

QB Deshaun Watson ranks 28^th among NFL quarterbacks with a 74.8 passer rating, a completion percentage at 60.2 percent and has been sacked 26 times – eight more than any other quarterback.

Stefanski said that Watson's struggles so far this season are a result of poor execution from all 11 players on the field.

"When it comes to pass protection, I think I've told you guys this before, it's not just the offensive line," Stefanski said. "It can certainly be your running backs and your tight ends. It can be you weren't playing on time in the pass game, so your receiver isn't getting open, those types of things. So, it's an area that we have to get better, no doubt, and I think Deshaun understands that as well and I think he's committed to getting better as well."

Stefanski was asked about the Browns' struggles in the red zone against the Commanders, in particular a sequence that saw the Browns at the Washington 2-yard line only to be backed up due to a penalty and a sack, forcing them to settle for a field goal.

After connecting twice with WR Amari Cooper for a total of 28 yards, Watson was sacked before throwing two straight incompletions.

"There's obviously plays that Deshaun wants back. There's calls that I want back. That happens in the course of a game," Stefanski said. "We just have to do our best from a coaching perspective, from a player's perspective, to execute what's out there."

Evaluating rookie G Zak Zinter

With RG Wyatt Teller being placed on the injured reserve list in Week 3, the Browns' 2024 third round pick Zak Zinter has stepped in as the team's starting right guard.

Zinter has faced some of the NFL's best interior defensive linemen this season, including against Raiders DT Christian Wilkins and Commanders Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

Per Pro Football Focus, Zinter has allowed two sacks and committed one penalty this season. His overall player grade, assigned by PFF, is 47.4.

"I think he's continuing to get better," Stefanski said. "I think he's a young player going against some good players, but he's had good moments. And I think that's just with any young player, you have to learn from everything, learn from the good moments, learn from the bad moments and just really focus on technique over everything."

Veteran LG Joel Bitonio has worked closely with Zinter as he gains his footing in the NFL. Bitonio acknowledged last week the tough draw Zinter has had with the gauntlet of defensive tackles he's already faced, but said he appreciated his work ethic.

"I joked with him that it's a little tough start for the defensive tackles he has to face early in his career," Bitonio said on Oct. 3. "But he's so focused and he's working hard."

The gauntlet of interior defensive linemen Zinter and the Browns have to go up against will continue on Sunday with Eagles defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis.

Carter had six sacks and eight tackles for loss last season as a rookie and Davis added 2.5 sacks as well as two tackles for loss.

"I would tell you they're very, very powerful," Stefanski said. "Powerful and disruptive, right in the middle of the pocket in the pass game, right in the middle of what you're doing in the run game. So, they do a very nice job schematically of having those guys attack and they're just big, physical football players."

Injury updates

Several Browns made their return to practice on Wednesday, including rookie DT Mike Hall Jr., DT Maurice Hurst II and LB Mohamoud Diabate. Hurst and Diabate were limited participants.

Hall returned to practice for the first time since serving a five-game suspension put in place by the NFL for an incident occurring during training camp. Hurst and Diabate were placed on the injured reserve list in Week 1 and had their 21-day practice windows opened on Wednesday. They must be returned to the active roster before the 21 days have passed, or they will remain on the reserve list for the remainder of the season.

Stefanski said he would need to see Hall as well as the other returning players practice before determining whether they would be active for Sunday's game.

"I need to see him practice. A lot of these guys, for Mike, it will be the first time practicing. So, just want to see him this week before we make any determinations," Stefanski said.

RB Nick Chubb, who returned to practice last Wednesday for the first time since suffering a knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season, is ramping up "naturally," per Stefanski. They will evaluate Chubb's progress on a "day-to-day" basis.

TE David Njoku did not participate in Wednesday's practice, after returning to the field in Week 5 against the Commanders. He missed three games with an ankle injury he sustained in Week 1. DE Myles Garrett, who played last week but has been working through lower body injuries, also was not on the practice field on Wednesday.

T Jack Conklin was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Conklin experienced what Stefanski called a "minor setback" ahead of the Browns' Week 3 game against the Giants and is "working hard to make it this week."