Browns defense dominant, offense shaky in joint practices with Vikings (2024)

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns are headed to the back half of August and have just a few practice days remaining before the team fully shifts out of training camp mode.

Their defense hasn’t been whole but looked mostly dominant in two joint sessions with the Minnesota Vikings. The offense keeps chugging along, one penalty and one short pass at a time. No one is panicking yet, and no one should be making full judgments off three weeks of practice with key starters in and out of the lineup and quarterback Deshaun Watson working his way back from shoulder surgery.

But no one can be truly happy with the offensive inconsistencies, or the circ*mstances. The Browns have had their top receiving group whole for one full practice. Just one. Tight end David Njoku has been the best offensive player in camp, but he participated in just two snaps during Thursday’s joint practice due to an unknown injury. He stayed on the field for the entire practice, but Cleveland’s No. 1 receiver, Amari Cooper, limped off just past the midway point and was taken inside.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski characterized both Njoku and Cooper as “sore.” Stefanski isn’t obligated to share any further injury updates or his true feelings on the state of the offense.

The offensive line has been stung by injuries to both starters and backups, and two of the team’s perceived top three running backs haven’t practiced at all.

Against the Vikings, Watson was under almost constant pressure. Both against Minnesota and in regular camp days, there have been times onlookers have been left to wonder why Watson isn’t getting rid of the ball quicker or stringing together completions. Watson’s first pass of seven-on-seven on Thursday was intercepted for what would have been a clear touchdown by Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr.

Not all the throws have been bad. In a goal-to-go situation Thursday, Watson evaded a defender and threw around another. Waiting in the back of the end zone was Jerry Jeudy, who had position on one Vikings defender and completed the catch before another could close. Watson has made one or two impressive throws every day. But he’s made a bunch of shaky ones, too.

corner pocket DOT to @jerryjeudy @deshaunwatson | @OHLottery pic.twitter.com/yXMpDgWoMT

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 15, 2024

Building chemistry

Jeudy was only in walk-throughs and individual drills early in camp. It’s probably not a coincidence that Watson’s best throwing day was Jeudy’s first as a full participant. But after Jeudy impressed in making both intermediate and long-range receptions on Aug. 4, he re-aggravated whatever lower body issue slowed him through the spring and sat out another week. Jeudy participated in both joint practice days, and it’s clear the Browns need him even if Cooper and Njoku are OK and back next week.

“I think (their chemistry) isprogressing. I think they’re doing a nice job with it,” Stefanski said. “Jerry runs good routes, he’s friendly for the quarterback. So, a lot of it is the quarterback just building a book on all of his players and understanding the nuance of each one of those guys.

“I think all of it adds up. I think all of it is important. Every rep you get out there is important. So, yeah, I think every day you’re trying to fine-tune things.”

Watson said he’s focused on the offense improving its communication and “isn’t frustrated” by what he says are understandable up-and-down moments in camp. Watson also said he has no concern about his injured shoulder or taking a hit on it once the season begins.

“I feel really good about it,” Watson said. “Each day is a test of the strength, the stamina and really the work I’ve put in each day since the surgery. We’re on the right pace, the right track. And, you know, if we (weren’t on track) with that process, I wouldn’t be throwing every day.”

He’s everywhere

For two days, it felt like almost every dropback by Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was interrupted by Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. Though Garrett sat out the Browns’ first seven practices, he wrecked at least a handful of plays by Cleveland’s No. 1 offense over his first few days back. Garrett can play both sides and occasionally inside. Opponents can double-team and hold him, too, and it often doesn’t matter.

The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year is in top form as he prepares to chase a repeat and lead a defense that feels like it can again be one of the league’s best. At least twice on Thursday, Darnold was pressured before he completed his dropback. But not by Garrett. Those pressures came via blitzes from linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who just signed a three-year extension.

The Browns are currently playing without two of their top three cornerbacks. Three-time Pro Bowler Denzel Ward is in concussion protocol but watched most of Thursday’s practice from the sideline, and Greg Newsome II is rehabbing a hamstring injury in hopes of being able to return in time for the season opener.

The Browns have a bunch of older players on defense who need to stay healthy. They have three linebackers who are at least projected for playing time dealing with injuries, and they’ve had to shuffle defensive linemen for injury reasons. But this is a defense that has the talent and potentially the depth to be really good once the season begins.

had ourselves a day 😮‍💨

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 15, 2024

Youngsters are next

Though there were elements of full practices and extended special teams periods on both days, only the No. 1 and 2 offenses and defenses from each team took live reps. The Browns are so shorthanded on the offensive line and in the back seven on defense that they don’t have full No. 3 units, but the plan was to let the regulars work in the controlled practice setting and then let the youngsters and backups play in Saturday’s preseason game.

Stefanski said second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson will start Saturday and that no starters will play. Thompson-Robinson was third in line last week behind Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley, and the Browns have indicated that they’ll ultimately decide between Thompson-Robinson and Huntley for the No. 3 quarterback job.

Thompson-Robinson threw it well last week and has made several impressive throws in camp despite having a limited number of opportunities in competitive settings. Rookie slot cornerback Myles Harden has been so good in camp that he was on the field with Cleveland’s starters in the dime defensive package for Minnesota’s 1-minute drill to end Thursday’s practice. Second-year cornerback Kahlef Hailassie, who also had an interception of Darnold on Thursday, ended that series with a fourth-down pick.

On the fly

Earlier this week, Stefanski said “the plan” was for Watson to play some in the preseason finale at Seattle. The quarterback seemed a little surprised that Stefanski said that during Watson’s Thursday meeting with reporters, but the coach said he communicated the plan to Watson — “we communicate a lot” — and that any surprise Watson showed could be chalked up to being “focused on what’s in front of him.”

It’s been a long summer — and a long 2 1/2 years — for everybody.

Given that Watson hasn’t seen live action since last November, the ideal scenario for Cleveland is giving him some action in the preseason. Stefanski said Watson has been cleared for contact, even though he hasn’t taken any in controlled practice settings. So the best “plan” is to let him play just two to three series in Seattle as part of a final tuneup.

If injuries at other positions force Stefanski and the Browns to deviate from their plan, they proved last year to be adaptable. With the offense scuffling, what’s most important is the coaching staff and Watson making the best of the remaining practices as Cleveland continues to transition from camp mode to regular-season mode.

Watson said “the biggest thing with the preseason games … is operation.” With teams on limited reps and running just basic plays, the focus is on the huddle, pre-snap adjustments and getting everyone in the right place. That’s why Watson and Stefanski put a lot of stock into joint practices, but that process can extend into a few preseason series.

“Once you step on the field, you’ve got to perform,” Watson said. “You’ve got to play.”

(Photo of Myles Garrett: Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press)

Zac Jackson is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Cleveland Browns. He is also the host of the "A to Z" podcast alongside Andre Knott. Previously, Zac covered the Browns for Fox Sports Ohio and worked for Pro Football Talk. Follow Zac on Twitter @AkronJackson