As the Browns took the field for another day of training camp, they put on the pads for the first practice since returning to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Before practice began, head coach Kevin Stefanski met with the media to provide updates heading into the ninth day of training camp.
Here are the main takeaways from Stefanski's pre-practice press conference.
Jerry Jeudy's return to practice
WR Jerry Jeudy returned to full participation in practice on Aug. 4, taking reps in both the individual and team drills.
Stefanski said he was impressed with Jeudy's return and how he was able to have an impact in the drills. Jeudy made the final play in practice as he caught a deep pass from QB Deshaun Watson in the end zone for the touchdown, as well as another pass over the middle in 7-on-7 drills.
"Made some plays, ran a real nice choice route early in practice, ran that vertical play at the end of practice," Stefanski said. "So, kind of showing his versatility as a route runner. But it's early, so getting him in there and getting him introduced to different concepts at full speed."
Jeudy continued that return on Aug. 5, taking reps in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.
Outlook on Dorian Thompson-Robinson
The Browns currently have four quarterbacks on their roster, and as camp and the preseason continue, there will be some decisions made about the backup quarterbacks in the room.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson is one of the three quarterbacks working to showcase how he can fill that role. After a rookie season in which Thompson-Robinson led the Browns to a win over the Steelers in Week 11 and then later dealt with a hip injury that kept him out at the end of the season, he's used the offseason and training camp to showcase what he can bring to the room. Stefanski has noted how Thompson-Robinson has improved in his second year.
"He's done a nice job," Stefanski said. "I think in year one you saw him come along. I think you're seeing a similar jump from year one to year two, and that comes with being comfortable in the system. Obviously, his health has been a factor for him. So, to bounce back and feel really good, I think that factors into it as well."
Check out photos of the team during the ninth day of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Offensive guard Javion Cohen (67) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Callie Brownson during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Coaching Consultant Mike Vrabel during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Fullback Giovanni Ricci (44) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Cornerback Tony Brown (38) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Safety Brady Breeze (39) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Offensive tackle Lorenzo Thompson (69) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Safety Vincent Gray (31) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Wide receiver Jalen Camp (84) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Cornerback Tony Brown (38) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Wide receiver Jalen Camp (84) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) and Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Wide receiver Ahmarean Brown (87) during Day 9 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 5, 2024.
Injury updates
Stefanski provided a few updates on players who are dealing with injuries. He said both DT Shelby Harris and LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah would not practice, but both are making progress.
LB Jordan Hicks walked off the practice field on Aug. 4 during the Browns practice. Stefanski said that Hicks did not practice on Aug. 5 and that he is dealing with an injury.
"We'll get him out there soon," Stefanski said.
Matt Landers in training camp
Certain players on the roster are looking to use training camp as an audition to make the 53-man roster. One player who has turned heads throughout the first portion of camp is WR Matt Landers.
Both at The Greenbrier and again at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, he's taken reps in team drills, catching deep balls or other passes in the end zone for touchdowns during red zone work.
"He's made some big plays," Stefanski said of Landers. "He made plays down the field. He's gotten behind the defense. I think he has a good understanding of what we're doing, so he's in the right place at the right time. So, excited about him to continue to make some steps and these preseason games will be big for guys like Matt. Show what they can do in a setting like it's going to be down there on Saturday night."
Martin Emerson Jr.'s impact against the receivers
Throughout the early portion of training camp, CB Martin Emerson Jr. has been paired up against WR Amari Cooper in a number of team drills. Throughout those drills, Emerson has provided strong coverage of Cooper, and the two appear to be embracing the matchup to make one another better.
Emerson has spent the offseason growing and improving his game. He spent time with CB Denzel Ward in Florida to work on his craft, and his teammates and coaches and taken notice of his improvements on the field as he enters his third season with the Browns. Stefanski noted Emerson's effort in coverage on a handful of plays on Aug. 4.
"Good versus good is always beneficial to both sides and I've seen some great reps," Stefanski said. "I saw a great rep yesterday with Jerry (Jeudy) on the outside with MJ (Martin Emerson). MJ covered him really well. I shot him text after I was watching it, that it was outstanding. So, he pushes the receivers, the receivers push him, and it only makes you better."
