Browns coach Hue Jackson hopes defensive back E.J. Gaines is dealing with nothing "major" after suffering a right knee injury during Sunday's practice.
Gaines, a fifth-year veteran who was signed in March, crumpled to the ground while trying to defend a pass thrown in the direction of wide receiver Jarvis Landry. After an on-field examination from the team's medical staff, Gaines waved to cheering fans as he was carted off the field.
"I will not know until I go inside until we are able to really check it thoroughly and see exactly what it is," Jackson said.
"Obviously, he was a contributing member back there. He was going to play and was slated to play. That is a part of the game. We do not want to see it. Hopefully, it is nothing major. We will find out more about it. It is football. I hate to lose him, but at the same time, we know that those things do happen."
Gaines, who played in a Gregg Williams defense at the start of his career with the Rams, came to Cleveland after one season in Buffalo. His most productive season was his rookie year in 2014, when he intercepted two passes and compiled 14 passes defensed.
Gaines, who typically ran with the second-team defense, missed all of 2015 with a foot injury.
-- Jackson was short and to the point after what he considered to be a disappointing practice following the team's off day Saturday.
"We have to practice better than that," Jackson said.
"I just did not like our energy. It was [after] a day off. This team has to learn that when you get a day off, that does not mean anything. You come back with a vengeance. That is what you have to do to keep getting better. That is what I told them. That is what I expect."
The Browns have two more practices before hosting the Eagles on Thursday.
-- RB Carlos Hyde (shoulder) and WR Antonio Callaway (groin) did not finish Sunday's practice.
Rookie Damion Ratley, who caught two passes in Friday's preseason loss to the Bills, picked up first-team repetitions while Callaway was sidelined.
"Ratley made some plays today," Jackson said. "That was good to see. He needs to keep growing and keep getting better."
-- DB Denzel Ward did not participate in Sunday's on-field portion of practice. It was planned in advance as he deals with a nagging ankle injury, Jackson said.
"He has that ankle that all of a sudden flares up from time to time, and I think having an extra day is going to be the best thing for him," Jackson said. "We talked about it in length, and I think it is going to work out well."
