BEREA, Ohio – The Cleveland Browns head into the second half of August with just a few days of practice left before the entire team exits training camp.
Their defense hasn’t been consistent, but it has mostly looked dominant in two combined sessions with the Minnesota Vikings. The offense continues to work, committing one foul and one short pass each time. No one is panicking yet, and no one should make any judgments on three weeks of practice with key players in and out of the lineup and quarterback Deshaun Watson returning from shoulder surgery.
But no one can be really happy with the offensive inconsistencies or the circumstances. The Cleveland Browns cut their top receivers for one full practice. Just one. Linebacker David Njoku was the camp’s top offensive player, but he took only two snaps during Thursday’s combined practice due to an undisclosed injury. He remained on the field throughout the practice, but Cleveland’s top receiver, Amari Cooper, left the field shortly after the halfway point and was moved inside.
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The first day of joint practice between the Browns and Vikings was marked by physical strength from both teams.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski described both Nyokoh and Cooper as “injured.” Stefanski is not committed to sharing any further updates on the injury or his true feelings about the state of the offense.
The offensive line has been hit hard by injuries to starters and reserves, and two of the team’s top three players have not practiced at all.
Against the Vikings, Watson was under almost constant pressure. Whether against Minnesota or on regular days in camp, there were times when spectators wondered why Watson didn’t get rid of the ball faster or complete passes. Watson’s first pass in Thursday’s seven-on-seven game, which would have been an apparent touchdown, was intercepted by Vikings linebacker Evan Pace Jr.
Not all the throws were bad. On a potential scoring drive, Watson evaded one defender and passed the ball to another. Jerry Jeudy was waiting in the back of the end zone, positioned to take over a Vikings defender and make the catch before another defender could close it down. Watson made two or three great throws each day. But he also made a number of fumbled throws.
Sine of angle DOT to @Jerry Judy @DeshaunWatson | @OHL Lottery pic.twitter.com/yXMpDgWoMT
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 15, 2024
Construction Chemistry
Jeudy only participated in individual practices at the start of camp. It was probably no coincidence that Watson’s best throwing day was Jeudy’s first full day. But after Jeudy impressed with mid- and long-distance receiving on Aug. 4, his lower-body problem re-aggravated and slowed him through the spring, and he missed another week of camp. Jeudy participated in both days of combined practice, and the Browns clearly need him even if Cooper and Njoku are fine and back next week.
“I think (their chemistry) is progressing. I think they’re doing a good job with it,” Stefanski said. “Jerry runs good routes, he’s friendly with the quarterback. So a lot of it has to do with the quarterback building a book on all of his players and understanding the nuances of each one of those guys.
“I think it all adds up. I think it all matters. Every rep you get matters. So, yeah, I think every day you try to get things right.”
Watson said he’s focused on improving his offensive communication and isn’t frustrated by what he says are understandable ups and downs in camp. Watson also said he’s not worried about hurting his shoulder or taking a hit on it once the season starts.
“I feel really good,” Watson said. “Every day is a test of the strength and endurance and the work I’ve put in every day since the surgery. We’re on the right track, the right path. If we weren’t on the right track, I wouldn’t be able to throw every day.”
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For two days, it seemed like almost every rebound from Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was interrupted by Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett. Although Garrett missed the Browns’ first seven practices, he at least ruined a few plays from Cleveland’s top offensive line in his first few days back. Garrett can play on the sidelines and sometimes inside. Opponents can also double down and block him, often without it mattering.
The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year looks to be in top form as he prepares to chase a repeat win and lead a defense that looks like it could be among the best in the league again. Darnold was pressured at least twice Thursday before completing his pass. But not by Garrett. Those pressures came on the blitz of quarterback Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who just signed a three-year contract extension.
The Browns are currently without two of their top three quarterbacks. Three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Denzel Ward is nursing a concussion but watched most of Thursday’s practice from the bench, and Greg Newsome II is recovering from a hamstring injury and hopes to be back in time for the season opener.
The Browns have a bunch of older players on the defensive line who need to stay healthy. They have three defensive linemen who are expected to play at least once due to injuries, and they’ve had to rotate defensive linemen due to injuries. But this is a defensive line that has the talent and depth to be really good once the season starts.
We had a day 😮💨
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 15, 2024
Young people are next.
Despite elements of full practice and an extended private practice period on both days, only the Nos. 1 and 2 offenses and defenses from each team had live drills. The Browns are so short on offense and back seven that they don’t have full No. 3s, but the plan was to let the starters work in a controlled practice environment and then let the youngsters and substitutes play in a preseason game on Saturday.
Stefanski said second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson will start Saturday and no starters will be involved. Thompson-Robinson was the third-string quarterback last week behind Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley, and the Browns have indicated they will ultimately decide between Thompson-Robinson and Huntley for the third-string quarterback spot.
Thompson-Robinson threw the ball well last week and made several big throws in camp despite getting limited opportunities in competitive settings. Rookie cornerback Myles Harden was so good in camp that he was on the field with Cleveland’s starting linebackers in Minnesota’s 10-yard defensive package for a minute to finish Thursday’s practice. Second-year cornerback Kahlev Haelassi, who also intercepted Darnold on Thursday, ended that streak with a fourth pick.
On the fly
Earlier this week, Stefanski said the “plan” was for Watson to play some time in Seattle’s final preseason game. The quarterback seemed a bit surprised by Stefanski’s statement during Watson’s meeting with reporters on Thursday, but the coach said he’s communicated the plan to Watson — “we communicate a lot” — and that any surprise Watson has shown can be attributed to “focusing on what’s in front of him.”
It’s been a long summer – and a long two and a half years – for everyone.
Since Watson hasn’t played since November, the ideal scenario for Cleveland would be to play him in some preseason games. Stefanski said Watson has been cleared to play even though he hasn’t had any contact in controlled practices. So the “best plan” would be to allow him to play in just two or three series in Seattle as part of his final preparations.
If injuries at other positions force Stefanski and the Browns to deviate from their plan, they proved last year they can adapt. With the offense struggling, it’s more important that the coaching staff and Watson do their best in the remaining practices as Cleveland continues to transition from camp to regular season mode.
“The most important thing in preseason games is work,” Watson said. With teams limited to repetitions and only executing basic plays, the focus is on huddles, adjustments before the tackle and getting everyone in the right position. That’s why Watson and Stefanski put so much faith in joint drills, but that process can extend to a few preseason series.
“Once you step on the pitch, you have to perform well,” Watson said. “You have to play.”
(Miles Garrett photo: Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press)
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