Corey Coleman wasn't supposed to practice Sunday. Based on the team's schedule for players who have dealt with nagging injuries in the past -- for Coleman, hamstrings -- Day 4 was the third-year receiver's day to rest.
Coleman, though, politely refused. What followed was easily Coleman's most consistent day of training camp, as he made a number of first-down catches during the team's 11-on-11 drills and a handful of tough grabs in one-on-ones.
"He said, 'No, Coach. I want to play,'" Browns coach Hue Jackson said. "That was really good to see him step up. That is what you want to see. Go out there and compete and make plays."
It was a much better day overall for Cleveland's wide receiving corps, which has been hit hard by attrition over the past week and struggled as a unit Saturday. Jarvis Landry did what he's done since arriving in Cleveland -- make tough catch after tough catch after tough catch -- and Rashard Higgins, who has been the top option for Baker Mayfield on the second-team offense, made all sorts of big plays throughout the practice.
It's early, of course, but Jackson has been particularly encouraged by Higgins, who produced the majority of his 27 catches and 312 yards in two games last season.
"That is what receivers have to do, they have to make the plays when the ball is thrown," Jackson said. "Whether it is under-thrown, over-thrown, whatever that is, you have to make the play. Rashard is starting to show up every day, which is good to see.
"His rookie year, he was a young player learning his way. Last year, starting the season, he was released and brought back. I think that he made a commitment to himself that that would never happen to him again. He had a good season last year. Made plays for us throu ghout the year. Now, here he is. I think that he looks around and says, 'Hey look, I want to be one of the guys that is left standing in the room. He is working his tail off."
-- The aforementioned receiving corps got a boost Sunday with the return of sixth-round pick Damion Ratley, who missed the previous two practices with a hip injury. The former Texas A&M pass-catcher was fully active in the team's 11-on-11 drills.
"(He) made some plays, I am just glad he is back out there, but I will see more when I watch the tape," Jackson said. "It is good to have all of our young players out there practicing and competing."
-- Tight end Seth DeValve left practice with a quadriceps injury.
"I do not know how bad it is, but we will see," Jackson said. "Those things can be a little tricky. We will work through it."
Tight end Devon Cajuste and offensive tackle Greg Robinson remained in the concussion protocol while defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale (calf) and wide receiver Jeff Janis (knee) were also sidelined.
-- With Robinson sidelined for a second consecutive day and Desmond Harrison still on the Physically Unable to Perform list, rookie Austin Corbett took nearly all of the repetitions behind first-team left tackle Shon Coleman.
Corbett had worked mostly at guard during the first two practices. Offensive line coach Bob Wylie said it was still way too early to project where the versatile second-round pick would ultimately settle as a pro.
"Wherever he plays the best," Wylie said. "I don't want to say it's inside, outside, center. Wherever he starts playing the best, he'll start feeling his way into that position."
