BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Browns defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney and Takkarist McKinley appear ready to play Sunday in Cincinnati.
“They got some work in,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “We will see how it goes over the next 24 hours, but I think we are trending in the right direction.”
Clowney, who is dealing with ankle, hip and knee injuries, was back at practice Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday.
He played last week against the Steelers after missing practice all week.
“Guys who have an injury history, we are going to be smart about it,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, they have to practice, and those guys do practice and make sure that they get the work that they need, but we have to be smart about all of these guys because all of them have a different injury history.”
McKinley is returning from a groin injury that kept him out of last week’s 15-10 loss to Pittsburgh.
Next level – Myles Garrett leads the NFL with 10 ½ sacks this season but it’s not enough.
This week on social media Garrett posted about how being great simply is not good enough, but what exactly does that mean?
“What’s above great? Legendary, so I guess I’ve got to be that,” Garrett said. “Got the sacks but haven't gotten the ball out. Made some plays in the run, got some TFLs, but need some more fumbles, need some bigger plays, need something that’s going to change momentum of games because I mean sacks have been great, it's knocked them back, it's held some points off the board.
“We need to start getting points on the board from us being on the field and I think I can be the cause of that whether that's me dropping back or me being a force in the pass rush."
With the team 4-4 and their season essentially on the line Sunday in Cincinnati, he realizes he’s got to get back to making the type of plays that led to the Browns surge last season – a stretch that saw him collect strip sacks multiple weeks in a row.
“It’s sometimes tough when you’re going after it in the beginning of a game, you’re trying to get the ball out and it seems like they’re throwing it fast or I have to work through a couple guys or three guys, whatever it is,” Garrett said. “Then you’re just occupied with just getting there and then once you get there, he’s holding the ball and you’re just taking him down, so you didn’t get the ball out so it’s kind of walking that fine line.”
Designated to return – The Browns designated cornerback M.J.
Stewart to return from injured reserve.
Stewart appeared in five games this season and recorded seven tackles. He was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury on October 12.
Practice squad moves – The Browns re-signed fullback Johnny Stanton IV to the practice squad and placed cornerback Bryan Mills on practice squad/COVID-19.
Injury report – OUT: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (shoulder/not injury related-personal matter), RT Jack Conklin (elbow); QUESTIONABLE: DE Jadeveon Clowney (ankle, knee, hip), TE Harrison Bryant (thigh), DE Takkarist McKinley (groin), WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin), CB Denzel Ward (hamstring); EXPECTED TO PLAY: DT Malik Jackson (ankle), S John Johnson III (neck), WR Jarvis Landry, DT Malik McDowell (illness), CB A.J. Green (groin), DE Joe Jackson (shoulder), C J.C. Tretter (knee), LT Jedrick Wills Jr. (ankle), QB Baker Mayfield (left shoulder), TE David Njoku (neck)
Up next – Browns at Bengals Sunday, 1:05 p.m.