Browns are bringing it back to The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. Why not? They went 11-6 after training here in 2023.
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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.
WHITE SUPHUR SPRINGS, WV
Takeaways from the start of the 2024 training camp at The Greenbrier Resort …
When the Browns step on the manicured practice field at The Greenbrier Resort on Thursday for the first time in the 2024 training camp, seven players will be on the sideline working with trainers.
The Browns designated their active/PUP and active/NFI injury lists. Players on these lists can return to practice when cleared by Browns medics.
PUP (physically unable to perform) is for players who rehabbed injuries or suffered injuries through the spring OTA and minicamp seasons.
Starting camp on PUP are:
Running back Nick Chubb (knee).
No surprise here. Despite Chubb’s impressive feat of squat-lifting 585 pounds eight months after his second major surgery on his left knee, he's not yet ready to practice.
The squat-lift was less than Chubb’s max, but it surely was a good sign that Chubb’s knee, which suffered meniscus, MCL and ACL damage on the low hit from Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in the September 18 game in Pittsburgh, is healing and strengthening nicely.
Chubb’s return to practice is uncertain. If he isn’t cleared to practice before the roster cut to 53, he would open the season on reserve/PUP and miss a minimum of four games. That should not be regarded as a setback.
Right tackle Jack Conklin (knee).
Conklin tore the MCL and ACL ligaments in his left knee in the first game of 2023 on September 10 when Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson was blocked into him.
Conklin had surgery in September and rehabbed most of the 2023 season. He did not practice during the OTA and minicamp spring season.
He is determined to make it back on the field and the Browns will give him every chance to do that.
Left tackle Jedrick Wills (knee).
Wills suffered an injury to his right knee on November 5. The Browns tried to rehab him through the injury, but he ultimately had arthroscopic surgery on December 12.
Wills did not practice during the OTA and minicamp spring season.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (knee).
This appears to be a minor injury that occurred during the spring season. Tomlinson did not have a knee injury in the 2023 season.
Safety D’Anthony Bell (shin).
Same as above. Bell did not have a shin injury during the season.
NFI (non-football injury) is for players who suffered an injury away from the team’s premises.
Starting camp on NFL are:
Running back Nyheim Hines (knee).
Hines suffered a torn ACL in July of 2023 when reportedly he was travelling 10 mph on a jet-ski on a North Carolina waterway and was hit by another jet-skiier reportedly travelling up to 40 mph.
Hines did not participate in OTAs or minicamp but has said he expected to ready for the start of training camp.
Cornerback Greg Newsome (hamstring).
Newsome participated in OTAs and minicamp. This injury apparently occurred during Newsome’s personal training away from the facility.
Roster breakdown
As the Browns convene at The Greenbrier Resort, let’s take a Top 5 look at their training camp roster.
Five youngest players
1. DT Mike Hall, 21 years, 1 month, 11 days
2. OG Javion Cohen, 21 years, 11 months, 16 days
3. CB Myles Harden, 22 years, 7 months, 11 days
4. S Ronnie Hickman, 22 years, 9 months, 11 days
5. DT Jowon Briggs, 22 years, 10 months, 23 days
Five oldest players
1. LS Charley Hughlett, 34 years, 2 months, 8 days
2. S Rodney McLeod, 34 years, 1 month, 1 day
3. PK Dustin Hopkins, 33 years, 9 months, 23 days
4. DT Shelby Harris, 32 years, 11 months, 13 days.
5. LG Joel Bitonio, 32 years, 9 months, 13 days
Five heaviest players
1. OT Dawand Jones, 374 pounds
2. DT Siaki Ika, 335 pounds.
3. OL Roy Mbaeteka, 330 pounds.
4. DT Dalvin Tomlinson, 325 pounds
4. OT Germain Ifedi, 325 pounds
Five lightest players
1. WR Ahmarean Brown, 170 pounds
2. WR Jaelon Darden, 175 pounds
3.WR Elijah Moore, 180 pounds
4. S Rodney McLeod, 185 pounds
5. CB Dyshawn Gales, 188 pounds
Five tallest players
1. OT Dawand Jones, 6 feet 8 ¼ inches
2. OL Roy Mbaeteka, 6 feet 8 inches
3. OL Lorenzo Thompson, 6 feet 6 inches
4. C Ethan Pocic, 6 feet 6 inches
5. OG Zak Zinter, 6 feet 5 7/8 inches
Five shortest players
1. WR Jaelon Darden, 5 feet 7 5/8 inches
2. WR Ahmarean Brown, 5 feet 8 inches
3. RB Nyheim Hines, 5 feet 8 3/8 inches
4. WR Elijah Moore, 5 feet 9 ½ inches
4. CB Dyshawn Gales, 5 feet 9 ½ inches
Five most represented colleges
1. Alabama: 6
2. Ohio State: 5
3. LSU: 3
3. Michigan: 3
3. Cincinnati: 3
Most NFL years
1. S Rodney McLeod, 12
2. LG Joel Bitonio, 11
3. PK Dustin Hopkins, 11
4. WR Amari Cooper, 10
5. DE Za’Darius Smith, 10
5. LB Jordan Hicks, 10
5. LS Charley Hughlett, 10
Most years with Browns
1. LG Joel Bitonio, 11
2. LS Charley Hughlett, 10
3. DE Myles Garrett, 8
4. CB Denzel Ward, 7
4. RB Nick Chubb, 7
Most games played
1. LS Charley Hughlett, 147
2. LG Joel Bitonio, 144
3. DE Myles Garrett, 100
4. CB Denzel Ward, 79
5. RB Nick Chubb, 77