Cleveland Browns training camp day 12: Greg Newsome II sits out with hamstring injury

BEREA − Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II missed his first full practice of training camp Sunday as he continues to recover from a hamstring pull suffered early last week.

“We are working through it," coach Kevin Stefanski said prior to Sunday's practice. "It will not be a long time.”

Newsome suffered the injury during the team's practice last Tuesday. He never had the hamstring visibly wrapped during that practice, but did spend a lot of time with the trainer getting it stretched out.

Newsome was in uniform for last Friday's preseason opener in Jacksonville. However, he was among a lengthy list of Browns starters who did not play in the game, but was not on the list of players out due to injury.

The Browns' other starting cornerback, Pro Bowler Denzel Ward, has not practiced all camp after being placed on the physically unable to perform list on July 26. Ward has been recovering from a foot injury suffered on the final day of minicamp in June.

Neither Ward nor Newsome had any visible wrappings as they stood with their teammates during Sunday's practice.

Myles Garrett, Chase Winovich among defensive linemen not practicing

Myles Garrett was not at practice on Sunday. It was an excused absence due to a personal reason.

Chase Winovich, who figured to be Jadeveon Clowney's backup at the other end spot, was among a group of players who were on the training bikes at the start of practice. Winovich, acquired in a trade with the Patriots in the offseason, is battling a hamstring injury in his left leg.

Among the others on the bikes were receiver Michael Woods II (hamstring), Ward and Newsome, cornerback Shaun Jolly (groin), offensive lineman Elijah Nkansah and defensive tackle Sheldon Day (back).

Stefanski didn't have any update on Woods, other than to say he's “not ready yet.” The rookie receiver out of Oklahoma has been out since Aug. 5.

Eagles flying into town this week

Preseason games may not be the cup of tea for either players or coaches. However, that's not necessarily the same thing for joint practices teams conduct.

The Browns will hold two joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles in Berea on Thursday and Friday. The teams, after a Saturday off day, will then play a preseason game at 1 p.m. Sunday at First Energy Stadium.

All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio said there can be much more to gain from those controlled practices than from preseason games.

"If they're done right, I think so," he said. "I think Coach Stefanski does a good job of that. You don't want to come out here and just fight the whole time, and we've been a part of a few of those in my time here. You want to get reps in. As long as guys are smart about it, because it's a different team. When you're practicing against your own team, you're protecting each other, hopefully, and so hopefully you have that right mentality.

"If you some good reps, like for us on the offensive line, the Eagles' (defensive) line is one of the best in the league, so we're going to get some really good work. And you get to go against someone different. There's definitely some positives from it if it's done correctly."

The Browns famously found their way into multiple fights during a 2019 joint practice with the Colts during Freddie Kitchens' one season as head coach. Last year, the fights were at a minimum when the Giants visited Berea, save for the Browns' Troy Hill squaring off post-practice with New York's Sterling Shepard.

Stefanski has already indicated that the Eagles preseason game will be another off day for most of his starters. The plan remains for the final preseason game, Aug. 27 against Chicago, to be the one where most of the starters get game reps.

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Greg Newsome II sits out Browns practice with hamstring injury