After nine days away, the Browns are back on the practice fields at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. As players took the field, they were welcomed by the cheers and applause of fans, young and old, for the first open practice of training camp.
The Browns also celebrated Youth Football with their first open practice to fans.
"It's good to be back here at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Excited to have all our fans out here. We've been working and now they get to join in with us so that'll certainly bring some juice and some excitement to our players. It's also Play Football today which is a huge initiative league-wide, certainly with us. So, having some kids back here throughout this field just with youth football and how important that is to our game and how important it is to me. So, pretty excited about having those kids here."
Deshaun Watson's throwing plan
After throwing for the first six practices of training camp at The Greenbrier, Watson rested on the final day. However, as the Browns took the field for the eighth practice back at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, Watson threw during each of individual and team drills.
Stefanski said the plan is for Watson to throw each day of camp this week, but there has not been a decision made on if he will appear in the Browns preseason game against the Packers on Aug. 10. Stefanski said they are having conversations with the coaches and will provide an update during the week.
Jerry Jeudy participates in team drills
Jeudy, who participated in individual drills in the final two days of training camp at The Greenbrier, took another step forward in his return. On Sunday, he participated in team drills such as the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. His ability to participate now provides him a chance to gain necessary reps with Watson and work through their chemistry on the field.
"Jerry's been a really fun addition to this group," Stefanski said. "I think he does an outstanding job in the meeting room, on the practice field, has a great attitude, works very hard. Obviously excited to get him back out there and full speed and working with his teammates. But he fits in with us, how we operate, so we're excited to have him."
Injury updates
Stefanski provided different updates on several players who are working through injuries. He did not have updates on RB Nyheim Hines – who is on the active/non-football injury list – or S D'Anthony Bell – who is listed on the active/physically unable to perform list.
WR Elijah Moore
Stefanski said that Moore is working through the protocol. He exited the final practice at The Greenbrier and was being evaluated for a concussion.
"When you get in that protocol, there's certain things you have to pass to get out of it," Stefanski said.
RB D'Onta Foreman
Foreman, who suffered a scary hit on Aug. 1 at practice, returned to the team on Aug. 2. Stefanski said that while Foreman was not in the concussion protocol, he did not have an update, but said that he is "doing better."
DE Myles Garrett
Garrett, who the Browns ramped up during their time at The Greenbrier but did not practice, practiced for the first time in training camp.
Ramp up in training camp
While the Browns put in a solid amount of work in their nine days at The Greenbrier, they will continue into the next part of camp as they prepare for Week 1 of the regular season. Stefanski said they use all of training camp as a runway to the season, where there are certain elements that they will include early in camp and then taper off. There are also other drills or meetings that they introduce to players as they reach a certain point of camp.
"There's a few things that we're doing differently from drill wise, if you will," Stefanski said. "We'll work some route combinations. We haven't done this just yet, where instead of just doing one-on-ones, we'll have maybe three receivers versus a nickel, or corner and a safety. So, we're introducing some different drills to the guys."
