We are headed down the final stretch of training camp with the third preseason game just days away. It may not feel like it given that the Cleveland Browns first regular season game is still three weeks away but that is the beauty of the new scheduling format for the NFL.
There are no practices for fans to attend in Berea anymore leaving all the coverage to the media present day to day.
QB Deshaun Watson’s fate has been decided to bring closure to one of the many open-ended issues of the offseason. Now, the team continues to march on with Jacoby Brissett as the starting quarterback for the first 11 games of the season.
After a close loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, where we learned a lot of things despite very few key players playing, this week is all about the Chicago Bears.
Here is what the week ahead looks like for the Browns:
Monday
Cleveland starts the week with a day off following Sunday’s game with the Eagles. While it is likely some players will be in the building, there is no practice on Monday.
With many key players not playing in either Week 1 or 2 of the preseason, staying sharp will be key. DE Myles Garrett was away from the team for about a week before returning at the end of last week, hopefully it doesn’t take much for him to get back to full speed.
Tuesday
The Browns return to practice on Tuesday where we will hear from HC Kevin Stefanski and select players.
Tuesday also marks the next set of roster moves being required. All NFL teams must be down to an 80-man roster by 4 PM on August 3rd. Another five players are off the roster this week before the purge of 27 next week.
Wednesday and Thursday
Cleveland will return to the practice fields both Wednesday and Thursday with Stefanski and some players available to talk at that time.
These two days will also be interesting roster days as players waived by other teams on Tuesday will be eligible to be claimed. As we have seen over the years, GM Andrew Berry loves to make moves at the bottom of the roster so the 80 men safe on Tuesday may not be save 24-48 hours later.
Friday
The Browns will not have a full practice on Friday but are likely to have some kind of walk-through. Media will not be in attendance unless something changes so we are expecting a very quiet Friday out of Berea.
Saturday
Saturday is the last preseason game of the year. Cleveland has been expected to have Brissett and key starters play snaps in the final preseason game but nothing is certain.
The Chicago Bears come to town with many of the same questions as they had last year about protecting QB Justin Fields and giving him weapons to throw to. LB Roquan Smith’s trade request is unlikely to be met but a sign of problems under the new regime.
Browns vs Bears is set to kickoff at 7 PM Saturday night.
