Browns designate Jacob Phillips for return from IR, place Stephen Carlson on COVID-19 list

Jacob Phillips remains on track to make a late-season comeback with the Browns.

On the heels of its Week 13 bye, the team announced Monday it designated the linebacker for return from injured reserve along with placing tight end Stephen Carlson on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Phillips returned to practice Monday and impressed linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. in his first action back. Phillips has been on IR all season after suffering a torn biceps tendon Aug. 19 in a joint practice with the New York Giants.

"True professional," Walker said on Zoom. "You talk about somebody who ever since he's been out came in with the mindset that I'm going to help the team any way possible while also getting my rehab in and trying to get back as fast as possible to help the team. He's been a great voice for us on the sideline, helping us when we come off in practice, watching film, everything like that. He's been there with us every step of the way.

"To have him back on the field, obviously, it was great to see No. 50 flying around. The first two drills that we did, I told him, 'Man, you look explosive.' Just confident, trusting himself, so I'm definitely excited to have him back. It's definitely a boost for our linebacker room.”

Because Phillips has been out all season, the Browns (6-6) might not be ready to activate him for Sunday's home game against the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens (8-4).

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The Browns have 21 days to activate Phillips. If they don't activate him during that period, he cannot return to game action this season.

“Really excited for Jacob to be back out there in uniform and practicing,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said on Zoom. “I think those are long ways away when you first get injured and you’re spending time in that training room. But just to see him out there, I know that’s just a great reflection of how hard he’s worked.

“Now in terms of when he’s back and when he’s ready, we’ll work through that. Just wanted to put my eyes on him at his first practice, watch the tape, see how he’s doing. But we’ll make those determinations over the next few days.”

As a rookie third-round draft pick, Phillips appeared in 11 games last season, including two in the playoffs. He started two games and had 25 tackles, including one for loss, a quarterback hit and a pass defensed in the regular season. The Louisiana State University product had five tackles in the postseason.

Carlson suffered a season-ending knee injury Aug. 14 in the preseason opener and has been on IR since the summer.

Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver Anthony Schwartz remains in concussion protocol

Rookie wide receiver Anthony Schwartz did not practice Monday because he's still in concussion protocol, Stefanski said.

Schwartz suffered a concussion Nov. 14 in a 45-7 loss to the New England Patriots and has missed the past two games.

A third-round pick in this year's draft, Schwartz posted the following caption on Instagram last week: "Been a rough couple weeks for both me and the team, it’s been hard not being able to be out there, to play, to fight with my teammates… my brothers… just feeling powerless not being able to make an impact to help the team win in any which way. But everyday I progress and find a way to get better, so that when I’m able to get back on that field I will be able to give it my all… Cant wait to be back out there!!! #DawgPound."

Linebacker Mack Wilson is backup long snapper for Cleveland Browns

Long snapper Charley Hughlett is still on the reserve/COVID-19 list, where he landed on Nov. 29. Stefanski said linebacker Mack Wilson is the backup long snapper.

Hughlett tested positive for a breakthrough case of the virus, a person familiar with the situation said.

The paths for a vaccinated player such as Hughlett to be activated from the COVID-19 list are producing two negative tests separated by 24 hours or being free of symptoms after spending 10 days on the list. Team and NFL doctors must grant clearance, too.

Based on the 10-day rule, Hughlett could be back to practice Thursday. Stefanski said Hughlett is "progressing" through COVID-19 protocols.

"It's an anonymous position, but [Hughlett] does a really nice job for us. He has done it a high level," Stefanski said. "He's a leader for this special teams group, so we're excited for when he can get back in here."

Browns star Kareem Hunt ready for more after resting problematic calf and other injury updates

Star running back Kareem Hunt practiced Monday after resting the right calf he strained earlier this season during the bye week.

"He looks good," Stefanski said. "He's ready to go.”

Hunt returned from a five-game absence and played 23 of the offense's 60 snaps (38%) in a 16-10 loss to the Ravens on Nov. 28. He rushed seven times for 20 yards (2.9 average) and finished with zero catches on one target.

Hunt is typically the running back the Browns use in their two-minute offense, but he wasn't on the field for their final possession in Baltimore because his right calf tightened, Stefanski said.

Hunt said Monday on Zoom his health is improving.

"I felt good enough to play [in Baltimore]," Hunt said. "I'm definitely still working every day to get better and more healthy, and that's what I'm going to have to do. I spent a lot of time rehabbing stuff this bye week."

Hunt said he believes he'll be ready for an increased workload Sunday in the rematch with the Ravens.

"That's the plan," he said.

The Browns are still determining whether they will place No. 3 tight end Harrison Bryant on injured reserve with the high ankle sprain he suffered Nov. 28 in a 16-10 loss to the Ravens, Stefanski said. By rule, a player who lands on IR must miss at least three games.

The Browns have used three tight ends at the same time more than any other NFL team.

"We just feel like we have three good tight ends," Stefanski said. "We like those guys. Now with Harrison out, we'll have to adjust. That's the conversation we're having. Where do you want to go with that? Who do you want to put on the field and how do you want to evolve your game plan based on who's available to you?”

The Ravens are adjusting, too, because they lost one of their best players Sunday in a 20-19 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey suffered a torn pectoral muscle and is out for the rest of the season, Ravens coach John Harbaugh told Baltimore reporters Monday.

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jacob Phillips designated for return, Stephen Carlson on COVID-19 list