The Cleveland Browns need all hands on deck if they are going to overcome their reputation as one of the worst teams in the NFL. With a roster lacking high-quality depth at multiple positions, it is important for the players who are here to contribute as much as possible.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case entering the second week of training camp. There have been many practice days with multiple players on the sidelines.
Insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic has identified those absences as the Browns’ most concerning camp trend, naming defensive tackles Maliek Collins, Mike Hall and Kalia Davis in particular.
“Collins is on schedule with his rehab, and the Browns still think he’s going to deliver a strong season. But Hall is missing valuable time, and in an offseason that was mostly about patching the offensive holes, the Browns added Davis believing he could make an impact. What’s really concerning is the defense continues to dominate most practice periods with key players missing at defensive tackle and linebacker,” Jackson wrote.
Collins suffered a serious quad injury last season, and he is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Hall has been out since making a very good impression working with the starters in the early stages of camp. Davis, who was signed as a free agent this offseason, was injured almost immediately after camp opened late last month.
In addition, second-year defensive tackle Mason Graham, who is expected to be much improved this season, has sat out the past three practices. Backup Sam Kamara was carted off the field with an injury on Monday.
According to Jackson, that has left two undrafted players, Tyreak Sapp and Adin Huntington, playing with the first-team defense this week. The Browns also have signed former UFL player Travis Bell and claimed Coziah Izzard in order to have enough healthy players at the position.
Jackson also points out that the Browns have similar but not quite as dire issues on the offensive line. Centers Elgton Jenkins and Parker Brailsford have missed recent practices, and potential starting right guard Teven Jenkins has been sidelined, giving KT Leveston an opportunity to take over the position. Backup Zak Zinter also suffered a recent injury.
New head coach Todd Monken said that there would be no veteran rest days during his demanding camp, but there is nothing he or anyone else can do about players missing time with legitimate injuries.
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