The Browns are entering the final week of the preseason, where they will use the game tape from the first two preseason games to help prepare for the final tune-up against the Seahawks, and ultimately, the start of the 2024 regular season.
"Going to highlight those things that we can teach off of with our players and we'll do that," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Then looking forward to getting on an airplane and heading out to Seattle. We'll treat this week like a regular season week as a schedule."
Stefanski said that while there will be elements of practice this week that won't be like a regular season week – as they will hold competitive Browns vs. Browns periods in practice this week – but the goal is to prepare the coaching staff and players for the rhythm of a regular season week.
Here are the top notes as the Browns head into the final week of the preseason.
Injury Updates
The Browns endured a number of injuries during the second preseason game against the Vikings, which Stefanski provided updates on.
LT James Hudson III, who suffered an ankle injury, will not practice this upcoming week. However, Stefanski said Hudson "will be back soon."
G Germain Ifedi, who sustained a hand injury, is "good to go." T Hakeem Adeniji, who is dealing with a knee injury is out for a "little bit of time."
"I'm disappointed for him," Stefanski said. "I will highlight his effort on that play was unbelievable running down. And those are types of things I thought you can teach off of those moments with your players. So, his effort was unbelievable."
LT Jedrick Wills Jr. – who is continuing his recovery process from a season-ending knee injury in 2023 – will not practice this week. However, Stefanski said Wills "continues to work very hard."
FB Giovanni Ricci endured a knee injury and is "going to be out for a few weeks," according to Stefanski.
Outlook on offensive tackle
The Browns were already working through injuries at offensive tackle, as they await the return of RT Jack Conklin and Wills. Yet, with the latest injuries to Hudson and Adeniji, the Browns are lacking depth at the tackle position. However, Stefanski is not too concerned about where that depth is at right now.
"We feel really good about the people we have in this building," Stefanski said. "We got guys that are working hard to get back and we'll just deal with it day to day."
Plan for Deshaun Watson in final preseason game
Stefanski announced at the beginning of the second week of the preseason that QB Deshaun Watson would play in the preseason finale against Seattle. As the Browns prepare to travel to Seattle later this week and face the Seahawks on Aug. 24, Stefanski said they are working through a plan for him for the game.
"I think what we have to do is just always we have a plan, look at it, see what's available, do we want to alter anything," Stefanski said. "So, we'll work through that in the next couple of days."
Watson took a majority of the reps during the joint practices with the Vikings but did not play in the first or second preseason games.
