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BEREA, Ohio -- Although there was some early drama with injuries and some curiosity when he lined up with the third stringers, first overall draft pick Myles Garrett is the starting left defensive end for the Cleveland Browns. Head coach Hue Jackson finally made it official after Garrett was bouncing back and forth between the first and second unit in practice. When he practices with the second team he works against 10-time Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas -- when Thomas practices.
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"It's just back and forth," Jackson said. "It's nothing. I think we know that Myles is a starter on our football team. So I think that's the end of that discussion."
However, there was plenty of discussion in June when Garrett injured his left foot while pass rushing quarterback Brock Osweiler. Garrett landed awkwardly on his left foot as he extended toward Osweiler and fell to the ground, where he was assessed by a trainer. Garrett limped into the fieldhouse with teammates at the conclusion of the session.
The next day the injury was diagnosed with a lateral foot sprain following an evaluation by Cleveland team physician Dr. James Voos and Dr. Robert Anderson, a foot and ankle specialist. The Browns signed Garrett to a four-year deal worth $30.4 million.
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It happens every year: an unknown wide receiver jumps out of the pack and plays well. This year that player is Jordan Leslie, 6-foot-1, 205 pounds from Brigham Young.
Leslie was Brock Osweiler's primary target during a two-minute drive in an intra-squad team scrimmage. He caught four passes for 53 yards to set up a field goal.
"Jordan is a playmaker," Osweiler said. "Jordan has been making plays since the spring. He's someone I have a ton of confidence in. I told the coaches that. He consistently catches the football."
Leslie suffered a setback in practice Saturday when he took a shot to the head but he was back at practice Monday. He caught a deep pass from DeShone Kizer down the right sideline.
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Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was able to exhale on Monday when the Browns returned from a day off and starting middle linebacker Chris Kirksey was back on the field.
Kirksey, the Browns leading tackler in 2016 with 143 stops, suffered a leg injury on the third play of the intra-squad scrimmage Friday. He did not return, but showed no ill-effects from the incident on Monday.
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Rookie Jabrill Peppers has taken the lead on winning the job as the Browns punt returner. He displayed some shifty moves on one return during the team's intrasquad scrimmage on Friday. That competition was more realistic than a normal practice because the players were in full pads and the tackling was live.
Peppers, battling for playing time at safety, also has helped his cause with some solid hits in practice when he is on defense and the players are in full pads.
"I saw him smack a couple of people, which is good," Jackson said. "That's who he is and that's what we think he'll bring to the table. I thought he caught the punts really well and kickoffs. Jabrill is a good football player. He's going to contribute to this team."
Peppers returned kicks in practice Monday and could end up with that role, too.
Notes: Wide receiver Rasheed Bailey, 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, was signed. Bailey signed with the Eagles as an undrafted rookie in 2015. He spent time on the Jaguars' practice squad ... Tight end Nate Lese, a 6-foot-2, 249 pound linebacker at UCLA for two years before being switched to tight end, was signed. He caught 49 passes for 569 yards and seven touchdowns in college ... Wide receiver James Wright was waived injured (pulmonary contusion) ... Defensive lineman Jamal Marcus was waived ... Tight end Randall Telfer is listed as a starter and head coach Hue Jackson touts his blocking ability.
