CHICAGO -- Terrelle Pryor took a step back to the past to pick up the first official touch of his Cleveland Browns career.
After a few plays at wide receiver during Thursday's second half, Pryor lined up under center hoping to give the Browns offense a jolt. He took a direct snap, ran to the right and gained 5 yards. Later in the quarter, he did it again for 4 yards.
"Just trying to move the ball a little bit and just doing what the coaches want and trying to conform and do it and do it exactly how they want it," Pryor said after Cleveland's 24-0 loss to the Bears in the preseason finale. "I had a good run. It's been a while since I've been running like that. That's probably the most plays I've ran, so my leg is getting better."
Pryor, who has been hampered by a hamstring injury throughout the preseason, admitted he still wasn't 100 percent. And he didn't come away from Thursday's game 100 percent satisfied in his performance, either, because he finished with no catches on zero targets.
Still, in just a few short series, Pryor was able to flash the kind of versatility and change-of-pace ability Browns coach Mike Pettine said intrigued him about the former quarterback.
Pettine said Pryor's lack of targets wasn't for a lack of effort. On some plays, like a lot of them Thursday, the protection broke down and forced quarterback Thaddeus Lewis to throw the ball away or in a different direction. On others, the Bears simply schemed to take Pryor out of the play.
The most contact Pryor faced came on special teams, where he lined up once as a punt protector. This was by design, Pettine said, because of the variety of things Pryor can do from the position.
On his way down the field on what turned into a routine punt, Pryor tussled with a Bears player and flung him to the ground.
"He hit me somewhere low and I didn't like it," Pryor said. "If you want to get physical, I'm going to get physical with you."
That's the type of play Pettine loved to see – even with the ball nowhere near his hands.
"He's a willing blocker. He's smart, he understands it," Pettine said. That's just gives (special teams coordinator Chris Tabor) more options. In New York, we had (Tim Tebow) as the punt protector. He can run, he can throw, he can protect. It just changes the mindset defensively.
Pryor said he didn't know if the performance was what the Browns wanted to see before they make a decision Saturday about his status on the 53-man roster, but he was satisfied with his effort.
"I was out there blocking and doing different things," Pryor said. "The guys upstairs get paid a lot of money to make decisions, hard decisions. It is what it is.
"I look forward to being on the team, though, I really love the city. I know I can help. But it's not my decision."
Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown throws a pass to running back Isaiah Crowell as the Browns quarterbacks coach Kevin O'Connell watches before an NFL preseason football game
Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears
WR Terrelle Pryor catches a pass in pregame warmups
OL Joe Thomas smiles in pregame warmups before the Browns face the Bears
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor taking pregame reps
Every player has their own form of pregame prep
Cleveland Browns quarterback Thad Lewis (3) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine talks to Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould (9) before an NFL preseason football game
Chicago Bears' Terrance Mitchell (20) is tackled by Cleveland Browns' Vince Mayle (85) on a kick off return during the first half of an NFL preseason football game
Cleveland Browns quarterback Thad Lewis (3) looks for a receiver during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns quarterback Thad Lewis (3) hands off the ball to running back Terrance West (28) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns quarterback Thad Lewis (3) runs against Chicago Bears linebacker Willie Young (97) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Lenz is tackled by Chicago Bears free safety Brock Vereen (45) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game
Browns wide receiver Vince Mayle looks to make a play on special teams
Chicago Bears plays against Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL preseason football game
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Lenz makes a catch against Chicago Bears defense during the first half of an NFL preseason football game
Cleveland Browns running back Terrance West (28) battles for extra yards
Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford (36) is tackled by Cleveland Browns strong safety Ibraheim Campbell, defensive back Joe Rankin and defensive end Billy Winn (90)
Cleveland Browns running back Shaun Draughn (20) runs against Chicago Bears linebacker Mason Foster (53)
Browns wide receiever Vince Mayle makes a sliding reception
Offensive coordinator John DeFillippo relaying the play to QB Thad Lewis
Fans cheer on the Browns at Soldier Field
Fans cheer on the Browns at Soldier Field
Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor looks to pick up a block down-field
DL John Hughes stands on the sidelines
OL Cameron Erving standing on the sidelines
Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine talks to Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears
