Browns quick hits: Joel Bitonio confident in Hjalte Froholdt in Wyatt Teller's absence

BEREA − There's a very good chance when the Browns face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday they'll be without one of the best interior offensive linemen in the league in right guard Wyatt Teller.

Teller suffered a left calf injury in the second quarter of the Browns' loss to the New England Patriots last Sunday. He hasn't officially been ruled out against the Ravens, but he told a handful of reporters on Wednesday he didn't believe he was going to play.

Teller's All-Pro counterpart at left guard, Joel Bitonio, acknowledges what losing Teller means for the offensive line. However, he's not running up a white flag on the game without Teller.

Instead, Bitonio is focused on what's needed to replace Teller for however long he may be sidelined.

"It starts in the offseason and training camp, you start developing guys and getting guys ready for the moment, because you know O-line is a tough position to stay healthy for 17 games," Bitonio said Thursday. "Um, so anytime you lose a starter, it's a big loss, obviously, but I think we have guys that are prepared to get reps this week and have all season.

"I think [offensive line coach Bill] Callahan is one of the better developers of O-line guys in the league. He puts in the time, puts in the extra work, and those guys really do work hard to be ready. So whoever ends up going this week I think will be ready to play."

The person who ends up replacing Teller in all likelihood will be the same one who replaced him against the Patriots. Hjalte Froholdt came on to play the final 55 offensive snaps for the Browns at right guard.

Froholdt had mostly been a special-teams participant when he's played in the previous five games. His offensive snaps were mostly limited to fullback in heavy packages in short-yardage situations.

"Anytime you come into a game it's, you know, a little shocking, especially in a game like that where you're passing the ball every down pretty much," Bitonio said. "I think he stepped in and did an admirable job. Everybody has things they want to clean up, but overall, I think it was a real positive."

Bitonio believes one of the strengths of the 6-foot-5, 310-pound Froholdt is, honestly, his strength. A Denmark native, Froholdt is one of the strongest players on the Browns in the weight room, and he's spoken previously about someday competing in World's Strongest Man competitions after his NFL career ends.

"I mean, he's stronger than me and Wyatt," Bitonio said. "You know, he's like a strong man if you look at his build and stuff like that. He has a great anchor. He actually moves very well, too. He moves well and those things. He has a lot of potential and a lot of talent.

"You saw him pull a couple times and he got around the edge. I think they try and look for the same characteristics in guys. But no, he's a really strong guy and he plays really well. It's just getting to know who you're playing next to and to understand the games they're running at you and different stunts and blitzes and things of that nature."

Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney back at practice for Browns

The Browns' two All-Pro defensive ends, Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, were both back at practice on Thursday. Garrett missed Wednesday's workout, and Clowney had been sidelined since the previous Wednesday.

Garrett has been continuing to recover from the shoulder sprain and stained biceps he suffered in his car accident Sept. 26. He said after last Sunday's game he planned to play against the Ravens.

Clowney, who came back against the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 9 after missing two-and-a-half games with an ankle injury, missed the Patriots game with what was listed as ankle, knee and elbow injuries. He didn't practice at all last week.

Tight end David Njoku, Bitonio, receiver Amari Cooper, right tackle Jack Conklin and linebacker Tony Fields II also returned to practice on Thursday. Njoku, Bitonio and Cooper were all resting on Wednesday.

Denzel Ward, Joe Haeg remain in concussion protocol

Cornerback Denzel Ward and offensive tackle Joe Haeg remain in concussion protocol for the Browns. They, along with Teller, were the lone players not on the field Thursday.

Ward sustained his concussion in the fourth quarter of the loss to the Chargers. He has been in the protocol ever since, with rookie Martin Emerson Jr. starting in his place against the Patriots.

“Yeah, obviously I would love to have Denzel back whether he plays or not that’s on him and the doctors but obviously he’s still one of the best corners in the whole entire league," cornerback Greg Newsome II said. "You know getting a guy like him back would be amazing but if he’s not there it’s still the same next man up and we trust everybody in that room.

"I feel like our forest could be starters on any other team. A.J. Green I feel like can go to any NFL team and start right now. Same with Greedy, MJ and myself. So I definitely think we have a great room and we have the next man up mentality.”

Haeg initially suffered the concussion in practice prior to the Oct. 2 loss at the Atlanta Falcons. However, he returned to practice the week of the Chargers game before re-entering the protocol after being de-activated for that game.

Mike Priefer defends A.J. Green on onside kick recovery attempt

There was a chance for the Browns to get back into last Sunday's game against the Patriots in the fourth quarter after they cut it to 24-15 with 6:07 remaining. They even appeared to come up with an onside kick recovery when Ronnie Harrison Jr. fell on the football.

The recovery was overturned on replay, though, when it was ruled A.J. Green was out of bounds when he touched the ball. Green had come in on the play to try to help Harrison, who didn't initially gain full control of the ball.

Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer came to Green's defense on Thursday.

"He knows the rule," Priefer said. "He slipped. You saw him slip on the sideline. He tried to stay in bounds as he was near the sideline. He didn’t touch the ball – that is what he told me anyway. It was a play that Ronnie was supposed to recover, and he did. A.J. should have known better not to stick his hand in there to make it even close. He is a smart player. He was trying like crazy to keep the ball in bounds and do his job, and that's his job to get over there. He saw it bounce the way it did. Initially, it bounced away from Ronnie. He was trying to keep the ball in bounds.

"We always know to bat it lateral or behind. You can’t bat it forward – that is an illegal bat. When he slipped, I don’t think he knew he was out of bounds. It was a tough call. I will never, ever going to be upset with effort. It was a great effort play, and A.J. is a high-effort guy. I thought it was a well-executed play, and I thought we had it.”

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Demetric Felton Jr., Chester Rogers in punt return mix

Priefer admits the punt return spot is somewhat in flux going into this week's game. That's in part because Chester Rogers, who has handled it the last two games, is out of elevations from the practice squad.

Rogers could be added to the active roster before Sunday's game. The Browns could also go back to one of the other players who have handled those duties, be it Donovan Peoples-Jones or Demetric Felton Jr.

"We are going to work some guys today," Priefer said. "Donovan, Demetric and obviously Chester still in the mix because he does bring a little bit of a spark. He is out of elevations so he would have to be put on the 53-man roster to get him up, but that still is a possibility.”

Felton has returned seven punts for six yards this season with one fair catch. Rogers has four returns for an average of 4.5 yards with four fair catches.

Peoples-Jones has returned two punts for 3.5 yards with one fair catch this season.

Mark Andrews, J.K. Dobbins remain out of Ravens practice

Thursday was the second day in a row the Ravens did not have tight end Mark Andrews, running back J.K. Dobbins, fullback Patrick Ricard and cornerback Marcus Peters. They did return to practice receiver/return man Devin Duvernay, guard Ben Cleveland, right tackle Morgan Moses and defensive end Calais Campbell.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh had said Andrews and Peters both sat Wednesday due to "rest." Andrews, though, was listed on the injury report with a knee injury.

Dobbins and Picard are both listed with knee issues. Duvernay had a rest day on Wednesday, and Cleveland and Campbell both had foot issues and Moses has a heel issue.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson has been dealing with a hip injury. According to Baltimore reporters, Jackson did not get on the practice field until Thursday's practice was 20 minutes old.

Linebacker Dakota Allen returns to Browns practice squad

Two days after the Browns released linebacker Dakota Allen, they brought him back to their practice squad. The fourth-year pro was cut on Tuesday.

Allen was originally signed in June as a free agent, but was cut on Aug. 30. He was brought back the following day to the practice squad.

Allen was elevated to the active roster for the Oct. 9 game against the Chargers. He was then signed to the active roster last Saturday ahead of the game against the Patriots.

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Joel Bitonio confident in Hjalte Froholdt in Wyatt Teller's absence