Cleveland Browns training camp day six: Amari Cooper sits out practice with ankle injury

BEREA – The one wide receiver the Browns need on the field the most wasn't there on the first day of full pads. However, they feel confident there's no real concern Amari Cooper won't be there the first time they play someone else.

Cooper, the four-time Pro Bowl receiver acquired from the Dallas Cowboys in March, went down with a right ankle injury late in Monday's practice. A trainer assisted him while he was on the ground, but he did not leave the practice field.

Cooper did not participate in Tuesday's first fully-padded practice of camp. Coach Kevin Stefanski, though, did not sound concerned about any long-term absence for the clear No. 1 receiver on his roster.

"Amari will be out today, but he'll be back pretty soon," Stefanski said prior to practice. "He'll be OK."

Cooper has five 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his first seven seasons in the league between the Raiders and Cowboys. He arrives on a Browns team desperate for proven receiving talent, with third-year pro Donovan Peoples-Jones their top returning receiver with just under 600 yards a year ago.

Corey Bojorquez sits out practice

Corey Bojorquez was brought to Cleveland to compete for the punting job. He wasn't able to take part in that competition on Tuesday.

Bojorquez missed practice Tuesday due to a right foot injury. The Browns had no further update beyond that following practice.

A fifth-year pro out of New Mexico, Bojorquez was signed as a free agent after spending last season punting for the Green Bay Packers. He's in a camp battle with another free-agent signee, Joseph Charlton, to take over the job.

Bojorquez has averaged 45.4 yard on 218 career punts during stops with the Buffalo Bills and Packers. He averaged 46.5 yards on a career-high 82 punts a year ago.

The only other new addition to the list of players who did not practice were Cooper and cornerback Reggie Robinson II (core muscles). Defensive end Stephen Weatherly, who was listed on Monday's practice report, did practice on Tuesday.

Anthony Walker Jr., Anthony Schwartz progressing back from injury

One of the Browns' defensive leaders, linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., continues to work his way back onto the field. He suffered a groin injury prior to camp and started on the non-football injury list.

On Tuesday, Walker sounded optimistic that return was coming soon.

"We'll take it one day at a time," Walker said. "That's coach Kevin's job to comment on injuries and stuff. But I'm getting there. Getting there."

Another Anthony – receiver Anthony Schwartz – continues to recover from the knee strain he suffered on the second day of camp last Thursday. Schwartz was on the field on Monday, but remains unavailable for practice.

Stefanski did not have a firm timetable for either player's return.

"I think they're both progressing," Stefanski said. "They're on different timelines. We'll see them soon."

No panic over receiver injuries … yet

The injuries among the receiving corps have been a major storyline through the first week of camp. It would've been the storyline of camp had it not been for the Deshaun Watson suspension.

Cooper, Schwartz, Javon Wims (non-football illness list) and rookies David Bell (foot/physically unable to perform list) and Isaiah Weston (knee/released with injury designation) have all dealt with some kind of injury which has limited their time on the field. Despite that, Stefanski continues to indicate there's no outside help coming in the immediate future.

What the coach does like is what he's seeing from some of the younger receivers. Rookie Michael Woods II, for one, has generated some praise for his potential, which he showcased during an 11-on-11 drill when spun past cornerback A.J. Green after pulling in a deep pass.

While not a "young" receiver, Jakeem Grant Sr. had one of the more impressive catch-and-runs of the day when he scooted through the defense after pulling in a screen pass at the end of a trick play. Grant initially took the handoff, then handed the ball off to Ja'Marcus Bradley coming around the other way.

Bradley then handed the ball back to Watson, who found Grant to the right. Green then did the rest.

“I have been real impressed with a lot of those young guys," Stefanski said. "I think they work really, really hard. When you play for [pass game coordinator/wide receivers] Coach [Chad] O’Shea, you better work hard. We also got a head start with them bringing them in a few days early. I would not single any guy out other than to say it is an impressive young group.”

Kevin Stefanski stresses being smart in full pads

There's still almost a week and a half to go until the Browns play their preseason opener in Jacksonsville on Aug. 12. But that didn't minimize what Tuesday meant in terms of a benchmark in the course of training.

The Browns conducted their first practice in full pads after spending the first five full-squad workouts in basically just helmets. Stefanski, though, made sure to stress to the players the importance of being smart while still maintaining an aggressiveness.

“There is certainly a message to the team, they get that every night at team meeting," Stefanski said. "But it is really important that it is Browns versus Browns so we have to get our work in. It is a physical game, you can’t shy away from that, but now is not the time to take a ‘cheap shot’ at your own teammate. The pads should not change that. Your technique, whether you have pads on, shells on or helmets on, should not change. You should have great posture, you should be using your hands, keeping your head out of it and all of those type of things.”

The message appeared to be received for the first day, save for a couple of incidents. The most notable came when Nick Chubb was popped by cornerback Herb Miller after pulling in a pass.

Peoples-Jones and Martin Emerson Jr. also exchanged some pleasantries after Emerson shoved Peoples-Jones out of bounds on one play. They were separated fairly quickly without any major incident, in keeping with Stefanski's zero-tolerance policy on fights in practice.

Daily Cade York appreciation post

One of the early – emphasis heavy on early – standouts of camp has been rookie kicker Cade York. Granted, it's basically against no real rush, but York, a fourth-round pick out of LSU, has at least teased those in attendance with what he can do with his leg.

Through two full-squad field goal periods on Saturday and Monday, York's has connected on all 12 attempts. That includes a long of 51 yards on Monday.

“He’s doing well," Stefanski said. "… He is doing a nice job. He is working hard. Had a good day yesterday. Cade has the right temperament. He just goes about his work and goes about his business.”

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Amari Cooper sits out Cleveland Browns practice with ankle injury