Could Jack Conklin's comeback be completed at a position other than right tackle? (TheLandOnDemand)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Takeaways from Browns training camp Day 16 …
Kevin Stefanski may have found a new reason not to play Deshaun Watson in the final preseason game Saturday in Seattle.
Stefanski shut down Watson in the final practice of training camp because of “general arm soreness.”
Jameis Winston received all the first-team reps over the last four periods of practice.
Stefanski said of Watson, “I decided to just hold back a little bit with him, but [I’m] not overly concerned. He practiced. I held him back. He could have gone. He’s feeling fine.”
It was only the second time in 16 training camp practices that Watson, coming off right shoulder surgery in November, did not throw in every period. The other time was a designated day off from throwing on the last practice at the Greenbrier Resort.
The coach said it’s not the first time Watson had a sore arm in camp.
“No, he’s been … I mean, you’re a quarterback, you’re throwing a lot, so you get sore,” he said.
Watson has not played in the previous two preseason games. Stefanski would not rule him out for the Seattle game.
“I think for us, we want to just get through today, get to tomorrow, see where we are, make decisions on the game when we think it’s appropriate. Don’t feel like we have to rush into anything,” he said.
Stefanski is being cautious because the starting left tackle in Seattle will be Germain Ifedo after injuries befell the position. Ifedo would be the fourth candidate to start at left tackle after Jedrick Wills (PUP list), James Hudson (ankle injury) and Hakeem Adeniji (knee injury).
Stefanski may want to examine video of Wednesday’s practice and also observe Ifedo perform in a practice on Thursday before the team departs for Seattle.
Will Watson throw on Thursday?
“We’ll see,” Stefanski said.
Strong down
Running back Pierre Strong was transported to University Hospitals via ambulance after he experienced shortness of breath during a position drill.
He was released and diagnosed with a rib contusion.
The injury occurred when Strong ran through a drill through blocking pads and then met a heavy bag at the end.
In his second season with the Browns, Strong was RB2 on the depth chart behind Jerome Ford and was a prominent returner on Bubba Ventrone’s edition of the new hybrid kick return unit.
Strong was acquired in a trade with New England after the 53 roster cut last summer.
“Pierre’s done a nice job,” Stefanski said. “Some of our guys, you remember back that they were late additions last year and didn’t go through a whole offseason, whole camp with us. So Pierre’s done a really nice job in special teams. Really nice job in the run game, pass protection, the pass game. Obviously, he’s always been good in that area. So excited for Pierre.”
Help on the way?
Prior to practice, four players on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list worked out individually with trainers.
They were Wills, offensive tackle Jack Conklin, running back/return specialist Nyheim Hines and safety D’Anthony Bell.
Wills, who had arthroscopic surgery to repair the MCL on his right knee on December, did pass sets for about 20 minutes with a soft brace on his right knee. It appeared he was favoring the right knee slightly.
Conklin, who had major surgery in September to repair a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, did pass sets for about 20 minutes. He wore a white sleeve on his left leg.
It appeared that Conklin was simulating a left-handed stance, indicating he might be a candidate to move to left tackle when cleared to practice. Conklin made 35 of 38 starts at left tackle in his college career at Michigan State, but has played exclusively at right tackle in 94 NFL starts with the Titans and Browns.
D-day for the status of these players comes on Tuesday, when rosters are cut to 53. Either they will be cleared to practice and count on the 53, or they will be placed on reserve/PUP and forced to miss a minimum of four games.
Brownie bits
Cornerback Denzel Ward remained in concussion protocol. For the first time, Stefanski confirmed Ward suffered a concussion in a collision with receiver Elijah Moore on August 12. Ward was wearing the Guardian cap, which purportedly reduces the chances of concussions in practice significantly. That would be Ward’s fifth known concussion in his seventh NFL season. Stefanski said, “I think we have a great medical team. We have resources here when guys are in that protocol and I’m confident in that.” …
Tight end David Njoku and defensive end Alex Wright did not practice for the second day in a row. Receiver Amari Cooper participated only in individual drills …
Jerome Ford, who was the team’s lead kickoff return in 2022 and has taken first-team reps at the specialty this summer, sounded unenthused about the new kickoff format. “It’s OK. I really don’t know. I have to see it some more,” he said.