While the Browns sit 1-3 as they enter Week 5, they are focused on correcting their mistakes on both sides of the ball and preparing for a Commanders team that is excelling early in the season.
"Awesome challenge this week," Stefanski said. "Really good football team. 3-1 football team, playing very well, playing at a high level, well coached. I think they're doing a very, very nice job. So got to have a great week of practice and then get on the airplane and try to find a way to win on Sunday."
Here are the top news and notes as the Browns continue preparation for Week 5.
Nick Chubb returns to practice
A familiar face took to the practice field for the first time since Week 2 of the 2023 season, as RB Nick Chubb was designated for return to practice on Wednesday. Chubb was officially a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
During the open portion of practice, Chubb went through individual drills with the running backs and running backs coach Duce Staley.
"Nick's been here every day, so he's not far from what we're doing and far from what we're thinking about," Stefanski said. "He's in every meeting, he's here very early. So, this is just the next natural progression for him."
As Chubb has continued his recovery and rehab, he's spent time with fellow RB Nyheim Hines, who is also working his way back from a season-ending injury he sustained in the 2023 offseason.
"They've been together quite a bit," Stefanski said. "They're pushing each other in the training room, in the meeting room. I think both guys are really, really excited to be practicing again. Because that's hard when you're a player and you don't have a helmet on and you're off to the side and you can't participate in a walkthrough just yet. So, I think that's a big part of this, these guys being able to participate even in a walkthrough and then out at practice as well."
Check out photos of the team working to prepare for their game this week against the Washington Commanders at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back Nyheim Hines (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Pass Game Specialist/Tight Ends Coach Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Linebacker Khaleke Hudson (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (97) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Linebacker Michael Barrett (48) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Tight end Geoff Swaim (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Injury Updates
The Browns also designated Hines and G Michael Dunn for return to practice. Hines was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, while Dunn was also a limited participant due to illness.
"I think you've seen Nyheim and the plays that he's made in his career, certainly not just on special teams, on offense as well," Stefanski said. "So, he's a talented ball carrier, whether you hand it to him or throw it to him. So, excited to get him back out there at practice as well."
TE David Njoku returned to practice as a limited participant on Wednesday as he works back from an ankle injury that he sustained in Week 1. Njoku practiced on day leading up to Week 4 but has not played in a game since the first week of the season.
"We've got to see how this week goes, see how he looks throughout this week," Stefanski said if Njoku. "But Dave obviously gives our offense a boost with his ability, both in the run game and the pass game. But really got to see how he does these next few days."
LT Jedrick Wills Jr. and RT Jack Conklin both did not practice on Wednesday. Conklin is working through a hamstring injury he sustained late in the week ahead of Week 3, while Wills suffered a knee injury in the third quarter against the Giants. Both did not play in Week 4 against the Raiders.
"They're both working very hard, getting closer," Stefanski said. "I know they're two tackles, but two different injuries. They're doing their (best) to get back. So, we'll see what they look like today, tomorrow, Friday, but that's just how you have to treat any injury and these guys in particular, they're working hard to get back."
