The Browns pass rush had a strong day during Monday's training camp practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as their first game of the preseason against the Packers creeps closer.
WR Elijah Moore, who had been in concussion protocol since leaving practice early last Friday, was back on the field Monday as the Browns had their first padded practice since returning from West Virginia last week.
Here are some notes and observations from Monday's practice.
Dominant day for the defense
The Browns defensive unit came to play when they hit the field during 11-on-11 drills Monday afternoon.
Early in the drill, LB Devin Bush intercepted QB Deshaun Watson, earning a loud reaction from the defensive sideline. A few plays later, DE Alex Wright made a nice move to get around a block to pressure Watson into an incompletion.
In a later 11-on-11 drill inside the 10-yard line, Wright got what would have been a sack a play after DT Quinton Jefferson had also got to the quarterback.
Jefferson had received praise from defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz ahead of practice for his work ethic. The eight-year veteran is entering his first season as a member of the Browns after a six-sack season with the Jets in 2023.
"Quinton is a guy that just has really good speed. He's got really good hands, is a veteran player," Schwartz said. "He's out at practice 20 minutes early. He's out at practice like a half hour later. A lot of times I'm already showered, called my wife and in my office, and I look out and Quinton's still working."
DE Myles Garrett participated in team drills for the first time of training camp and recorded a sack on Watson in an 11-on-11 drill. Garrett had been predominantly working off to the side during practice before returning to individual drills at the Browns' first practice back in Berea on Sunday.
Special teams updates
Both Stefanski and assistant coach and special teams coach Bubba Ventrone noted Monday that they expected most teams across the league to keep their cards close when it comes to the dynamic kickoff that will debut this season.
"I don't anticipate a lot of variety in schemes showing up in these games," Ventrone – who was seen dancing to "Billie Jean" during practice – said. "I think coaches and teams are going to save a lot of their schematics for the regular season."
While it is not atypical for a team to practice kickoffs nearly every day – even before the dramatic rule change – the Browns have certainly invested a portion of their practice time into the play.
Several players, including RB Pierre Strong, WR Jamari Thrash, RB Jerome Ford and others have taken reps at kick returner, with injured RB Nyheim Hines off to the side ready to provide insight when needed.
Hines, who has extensive experience returning kicks – including a two-kick return touchdown game in the 2022 season – has been a helpful presence as the Browns audition multiple players at the position.
"He's been really with me since 2018," said Ventrone, who worked as Hines' special teams coordinator in Indianapolis. "Very good communicator. He didn't get it right away, so there was a big learning curve. Had a couple muffs early in the preseason his rookie year, kept working at it, had an opportunity in the middle of his rookie season. Nut a really good hard worker that is just trying to help those guys and educate them."
Injury updates
DE Za'Darius Smith was carted off the field during practice Monday. The Browns announced that he suffered a knee contusion and will be reevaluated Tuesday morning.
LBs Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jordan Hicks and Tony Fields II did not practice Monday. Stefanski said he expected Hicks to be back soon.
G Michael Dunn and G Wyatt Davis and DT Shelby Harris also did not practice.
