With two NFL teams at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, there was no shortage of action during training camp on Wednesday as nearly 180 players took to the practice field in a spirited and competitive joint practice session.
The Vikings joined the Browns for their first of two joint practices ahead of their Saturday preseason matchup. Head coach Kevin Stefanski spent most of the day with the Browns offense and will use Wednesday evening to review film on both sides of the ball.
"Obviously I only saw one side of the field, so I'll get to watch the tape on the other side here in a minute but a lot of tape to watch tonight and then we'll get a good day's work tomorrow with these guys and then play them on Saturday," Stefanski said after practice.
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson battled with the Browns defensive backs throughout practice, winning some reps and losing others. Stefanski said that going against elite talent like Jefferson is exactly the purpose of joint practices.
"That's the fun part of these days, is that's great work," Stefanski said. "You can't get better work than going up against Justin Jefferson. So, to go up against a different team always gives our guys a little bit of juice, but to go up against a player of his caliber."
The Browns quarterbacks had some highs and lows against the Vikings defense. Stefanski said that Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores disguises coverages and defensive schemes, giving QB Deshaun Watson and Jameis Winston good chances to work through issues in practice.
"Coach Flores does an awesome job in a bunch of areas, but one of the key areas that they do a nice job is, they confuse you," Stefanski said. "They give you different looks, they can blitz anybody from anywhere. So that's incredible work for us and I thought the quarterbacks, by and large, saw it pretty well."
Injury and personnel updates
DT Mike Hall Jr. exited practice early with an undisclosed injury after participating in an 11-on-11 drill. Stefanski did not have details on the injury following practice.
Hall was arrested and charged with domestic violence Tuesday morning. Stefanski said that the Browns were letting legal proceedings play out.
"We really just have to respect the process," Stefanski said.
Outside of those listed on the active/physically unable to perform and active/non-football injury lists, there were a handful of players who didn't practice Wednesday.
Stefanski said CB Denzel Ward did not practice today as he is in the concussion protocol. Ward took a hit in Monday's practice.
WR David Bell was out for the second consecutive practice. Stefanski said Monday that Bell, who has looked sharp in camp so far, would miss "one to two weeks" with an injury sustained against Green Bay.
CB Ronnie Hickman, LB Nathaniel Watson, CB Tony Fields II, G Michael Dunn, DE Za'Darius Smith (knee contusion) all did not practice. Stefanski said DE Isaiah McGuire did not practice on Wednesday due to illness.
