Cleveland Browns training camp day five: Jack Conklin activated from PUP list
BEREA – Deshaun Watson's six-game suspension for violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy was the obvious dominant storyline to emerge as the Browns returned from a players' day off Monday.
However, the team received some positive injury news as it activated right tackle Jack Conklin from the active/physically unable to perform list. Conklin started camp last week on the list as he recovered from a ruptured patellar tendon suffered in late November.
Conklin did not participate in full-team drills during Monday's 90-minute practice. He did go through individual work with the rest of the offensive linemen early on in the workout.
"I thought it was awesome to see No. 78 walking out here in his pads," coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday. "I told you guys, he’s worked so hard. I’m really proud of how hard he’s worked."
Jack Conklin has been active in meetings and weight room
Conklin had not participated in any on-field activities during the offseason or the opening week of training camp. He started camp on the PUP list along with cornerback Denzel Ward and rookie wide receiver David Bell.
Despite not having participated in on-field activities, Conklin has been fully involved with other aspects within the facility throughout the past few months. Stefanski has, on multiple occasions, praised the work he's done in both meetings and the weight room.
"I was here in late June and I looked out and he’s on the field with a bunch of offensive linemen putting them through drills," Stefanski said. "That just doesn’t happen very often in late June in given cities. It’s still a process. He’s not all the way back. We have time to work him back up to speed. I’m really excited to see 78 out there."
Conklin missed the final five games of last season after suffering the injury during a game at Baltimore on Nov. 28. He had just returned that game after missing three games with a dislocated left elbow.
Conklin also missed two games earlier in the season with a knee injury. He played in a total of seven games last season.
A free-agent signing from the Tennessee Titans in March 2020, Conklin is entering the final year of his three-year deal. He restructured that deal in February.
Amari Cooper provides a scare at end of practice
The most productive receiver on the Browns roster gave the team maybe its biggest on-field scare of camp Monday. Amari Cooper went down in the end zone of one of the fields late in practice after appearing to hurt his ankle.
A trainer came over and checked out Cooper. He managed to get up on his own and remained on the field.
Stefanski didn't have a post-practice update on the four-time Pro Bowler.
“I haven’t gotten the full report," he said. "I’ll update you guys tomorrow.”
Cooper is the clear No. 1 receiver on the roster. The former 2015 top-10 draft pick was acquired from Dallas in March.
Isaiah Weston injury leads to more receiver room shuffling
Rookie Isaiah Weston was waived with an injury designation on Monday. Weston, an undrafted free agent from Northern Iowa, suffered a knee injury during Saturday's practice.
The Browns signed Derrick Dillon to add to the receiver room. A product of LSU, Dillon spent this past spring playing for the USFL's Tampa Bay Bandits.
Dillon was an undrafted free-agent signing by the New York Giants out of college. He spent parts of 2020 and 2021 on their practice squad.
Receiver has been a position hard hit by injury thus far. Beyond Weston, Bell and Anthony Schwartz both have missed time with injuries, while Javon Wims started camp on the non-football illness list.
Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.
On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns tackle Jack Conklin activated from PUP list
