The Browns hit the practice field Monday afternoon to kick off the second week of the preseason and as they prepare for their upcoming joint practice sessions against the Vikings.
Ahead of Monday's practice, in which players wore helmets but no shoulder pads, head coach Kevin Stefanski said that he values joint practices as much as preseason games.
"I like that you can have controlled settings," Stefanski said. "I like that both sides can feel confident that their quarterbacks are going to stay upright. And I like that you can script practice and get a bunch of different situations, whether it be third down, two-minute, what have you."
The players will have the day off practice Tuesday before the Vikings arrive, making Monday the only practice time players had between the Green Bay game and their upcoming joint practices. Here are some notes and observations from Monday's session.
Back-and-forth between DBs and WRs
The Browns had an early one-on-one drill that produced many entertaining matchups between their elite secondary and shifty pass catchers. Early in the drill, CB Denzel Ward had a nice pass breakup on a pass intended for WR Amari Cooper but was later beat on a route by WR Elijah Moore.
Moore had a good day at practice, also shaking CB Cameron Mitchell in one-on-ones for a completion from QB Deshaun Watson.
Cooper and CB Martin Emerson Jr. fought on a deep ball from Watson, with Cooper beating Emerson to the outside to secure the catch. Emerson got his revenge in an 11-on-11 drill, picking off Watson on a deep ball intended for Moore.
Watson showed his range on a deep ball in a one-on-one drill, finding WR Ahmarean Brown, who beat CB Khalef Hailassie and ran out of bounds at the one-yard line.
Kickoff return and coverage work continues
The Browns didn't get many opportunities to cover kicks in their preseason loss against the Packers, with two of K Cade York's three kickoffs sailing through the end zone for touchbacks.
Stefanski had planned for the Browns' kickoffs to be returned to give opportunities to work on covering the return.
"I was supposed to land them at the goal line, they just kind of flew on me," York said after the game. "So just stuff to work on."
On Monday, the Browns' work on the dynamic kickoff play continued, with RB D'Onta Foreman, WR Jamari Thrash, WR James Proche II, WR Matt Landers, WR Ahmarean Brown and WR Jaelon Darden all taking reps at kick return.
Stefanski said that he expects the Browns to get plenty of action at kick off against the Vikings this week.
"We'll get some really good looks at it versus the Vikings here on our practice fields," Stefanski said last Monday.
Injury Report
WR Jerry Jeudy, S Juan Thornhill and DT Shelby Harris were back at practice Monday. For Harris, it was the first time he participated since the Browns were at The Greenbrier.
Jeudy did not participate in team drills Monday.
WR David Bell also did not practice after sustaining an injury against the Packers. He will miss "a week or two" according to Stefanski.
The third-year receiver has put together a nice camp so far, and Stefanski said that he expected Bell to pick things back up when he returns.
"Without a doubt," Stefanski said when asked about his confidence in Bell to return to form. "You don't like to see injuries, whether they're long-term, short-term, whatever they are. But he'll continue to rehab, and we'll get him out here sooner than later."
Bell caught his lone target for a gain of five yards against Green Bay.
Check out photos of the team during the twelfth day of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
A fan during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
The field during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) with a fan during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
A University Hospitals guest during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Running back Aidan Robbins (49) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
The field during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) with a fan during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) with a fan during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Bubba Ventrone during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) wearing Denzel Ward socks during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
A University Hospitals guest during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) with a fan during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Fullback/Center Nick Harris (53) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) with fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski meets with guests during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski meets with foundation guests during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski meets with foundation guests during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski meets with foundation guests during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
A ball during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
The field during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski with a fan during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
A University Hospitals guest during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski meets with foundation guests during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
A University Hospitals guest during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
The field during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
The field during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (96) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) wearing Denzel Ward socks during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) with fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
General Manager Andrew Berry during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski meets with foundation guests during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) with a fan during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Director of Strength and Conditioning Larry Jackson during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
The Indoor Facility during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
The facility during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Fullback/Center Nick Harris (53) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
The field during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Monty Gibson during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Dale Jones during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Equipment Staffer Ron Born during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
A fan during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
A University Hospitals guest during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.Fans during Day 12 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 12, 2024.
