BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Cornerback Denzel Ward was activated from the active/PUP list Monday after passing his physical.
Ward had been out since suffering a foot injury during the final practice of minicamp in June.
“He has been working very hard inside and out here,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said prior to practice. “Ready to get back on the field.
Obviously, we are excited to get him back out there.”
Ward participated in individual and positional drills but did not do any 1-on-1, 7-on-7 or team 11-on-11 drills – by design.
“We will work him along appropriately,” Stefanski said.
Ward is back but Greg Newsome II is sidelined with a hamstring injury. They are deep in the secondary which is a big reason why safety John Johnson III isn’t all that concerned.
“Make it to the race is my mindset,” Johnson said. “As long as Week 1 they’re ready to go with enough mileage under their legs, I think we’ll be good.”
Stefanski wasn’t prepared to say how much work if any Ward would get later this week during the joint practices with the eagles.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Ward, taken fourth overall in the 2018 Draft, is fresh off signing a $100.5 million contract extension this offseason.
Clowney-ing around – Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney remains a force to be reckoned with. And a treat to watch play football.
During practice Monday, it felt like No. 90 was dominating every time he was on the field.
During 11-on-11 work, we credited Clowney with a pair of “virtual sacks” – quarterbacks are off limits during camp – two pressures and a hellacious swat of a Jacoby Brissett pass at the line of scrimmage.
Much like they did last year, the Browns have been careful with Clowney’s camp reps as to not risk injury and overworking him. They want him healthy and rested for the regular season and, well, he looks ready.
Jack of all trades – Demetric Felton is listed as a running back but the 2021 sixth round pick out of UCLA seems to spend more time at receiver than with the running backs these days. Now Felton is working with the returners following the season-ending Achilles injury to Jakeem Grant last week.
He’s a jack of all trades, master of none, and running backs coach Stump Mitchell feels for him.
“Well, unfortunately, I don’t think anything has been kind of fair for Demetric because he is that ‘tweener,’” Mitchell said Monday. “He doesn’t get a chance to spend enough time at receiver or enough time at running back. I think he’s getting slighted. He can play both positions, so we’re glad to have a guy like that. Unfortunately, for him, [when] injuries happen, he’s the first guy we move to that position.”
Felton has embraced his multiple opportunities even if they are preventing him from carving out a specific role or identity as a player.
“Wherever my team needs me, I'll go,” Felton said. “Whether it's in the running back room, receiver room, return game, I'm able to do it.”
His approach is simple: the more he can do, the better it is for him.
“Just always keeps my mind focused on being ready because you never know when opportunities are going to come your way,” Felton said. “So if you're prepared, you're able to play your best and fit the role.”
Center(s) of attention – With Nick Harris likely lost for the season, Ethan Pocic has taken over with the first team offense.
Behind Pocic, the Browns rotated a pair of players with the second team – Hjalte Froholdt and Michael Dunn. Both snapped to Deshaun Watson, who worked primarily with the second unit Monday.
Trio of rookies depart – Three rookies left the practice field with trainers during practice Monday.
Guard Dawson Deaton was carted off while receiver Mike Harley Jr. and defensive end Isaiah Thomas walked off with a trainer.
Deaton suffered a knee injury, Harley an ankle injury and Thomas a hand injury the team said.
Puppy pound counter – Five puppies were adopted Monday bringing this year’s camp total to 61. Since the program’s launch in 2015, 686 puppies from the Northeast Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) have been adopted by Browns fans at training camp practices.
Roll call – DT Sheldon Day (back), C Nick Harris (knee), CB Shaun Jolly (groin), Greg Newsome II (hamstring), Elijah Nkansah (shoulder), CB Denzel Ward (foot), DE Chase Winovich (hamstring) and WR Michael Woods II (hamstring) did not practice due to injury.
DE Myles Garrett was excused by the team for personal reasons for a second consecutive day. Right tackle Jack Conklin worked on the side.
Up next – The final open practice of camp Tuesday at 2.
