CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns wrapped up the second joint practice in as many days with the Eagles Tuesday in advance of Thursday night’s preseason game.
Here are the top Brownie Bites from availability in Philadelphia.
Rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson will start Thursday night against the Eagles and Kellen Mond, who started the Hall of Fame Game, will play the second half. “Reverse the order [from Canton],” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. Backup Josh Dobbs and starter Deshaun Watson will have the night off.
Really good news on the injury front. Receiver Elijah Moore returned as did Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward. “All good, got rolled up on and have some pain, but good,” Garrett said. “Got the guys looking out for me and wanted to be a little bit cautious with today, see how I felt and out there moving well, feeling good, told me to just cool it for team and watch the guys work and they came out there with a lot of juice.” Right tackle Jack Conklin is in the concussion protocol. No. 2 running back Jerome Ford continues to rehab.
Eagles center Jason Kelce was apparently complimentary of the Browns defensive line during his media availability, which Garrett seemed to appreciate. “It means a lot,” Garrett said. “He’s seen a whole lot. He’s been around for a while and he’s played against some really good ones. Definitely it’s an honor coming from him. We got to make the most of it. We appreciate the words, but we got to keep on putting the work in.” Bolstering the defensive line is newcomer Shelby Harris, who seems to already be fitting in at defensive tackle. “He plays with a lot of passion. He’s fiery, and right now he’s getting his feet underneath him and working his hands really well,” Garett said. “He has a lot of knowledge of the game coming out and being able to do a variety of moves. And he’ll tell you that he’s not where he wants to be, but we know from how he spoken in his classroom and how he talks the game while he’s out there coaching up the young guys. It’s just about him getting in that game like form and shape.”
Receiver Marquise Goodwin can’t practice or play while he deals with the blood clot issue, but he’s staying involved be it working out on the side or behind the scenes. “He’s been outstanding,” Stefanski said. “You hear Marquise, he’s very talkative. He’s like having another coach out there. He’s very positive. He’s rooting his guys on. So he does an unbelievable job in the meeting room and out here being a sounding board, being an older player that he’s seen a lot, he can really rhythm up with all those young guys and tell him what he sees. He’s been invaluable from that perspective.”
Practice was moved up and shortened due to storms being in the forecast and the heat. “Just trying to beat any potential weather that might be out there,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, as you can feel, it’s hot, it’s sticky, it’s humid. So just trying to be smart. So working with the Eagles and going to reduce some of this practice. But coming off yesterday, I thought it was really good work. I thought both teams competed like crazy, took care of each other, and now another opportunity to do the same today.” Left guard Joel Bitonio isn’t a fan of the heat but feels it was a productive two days. “Very intense. For me, it’s like a game day,” Bitonio said. “You wake up, you have those kind of nerves and stuff. It’s just a little bit different atmosphere. I think coach Stefanski does a good job of, not having the guys that practice a lot, they don’t have to play in the game because it is like game like atmosphere. I woke up this morning a little bit sore and a little bit beat up. You run 30, 35 full speed plays against the team and it’s like half the game, so you get that feel. Today was a little bit shorter and stuff, but no, it’s good work.”
