Dawgs By Nature

If you don't want to hear about injuries, then don't read today's training camp report. Three of Cleveland's key players left the field early, meaning the team could be a bit short-handed when they face the Detroit Lions on Friday.

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 19 (8/17/11)

1. The Walking Wounded: Despite the fact that practice took place without full pads, several key players had to leave practice early with injuries. The first player to leave was left guard Eric Steinbach due to a back issue. The second player to leave was safety T.J. Ward, and this time it wasn't because of a dentist appointment -- he had a tight hamstring. The third player to leave was running back Peyton Hillis, who was also having his hamstring looked at. The injuries aren't considered serious, but they might be held out of Friday's game just to be safe.
    
   
2. Safety Depth: Earlier today, I talked about the team's lack of depth at safety due to injury. There was a surprise fill-in at safety today though (Mike Adams shifted over to Ward's spot): defensive back James Dockery, who has been shining as a backup cornerback.
    
   
3. Pinkston Gets Promoted: After the injury to Eric Steinbach, rookie draft pick Jason Pinkston ended up filling in at left guard with the first-team offense. That's what happens when your backup veteran, Billy Yates, retires unexpectedly. I'm a bit surprised not to hear Pat Murray's name in there.
    
   
4. High Praise for Cribbs: Jeff Schudel of the News Herald had some praise for wide receiver Joshua Cribbs after today's practice:

   Joshua Cribbs continues to be the best wide receiver in camp. He caught a pass on his fingertips in the end zone and later beat Joe Haden to catch a pass about 20 yards downfield from Colt McCoy. McCoy threw the ball on a rope.

5. Massaquoi Does Some Running: The latest update on wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi was that he did some light running on the practice field. The only player to return to practice was defensive lineman Brian Schaefering, who left on Monday after his foot was stepped on.
    
   
6. One-Handed Touchdown: Continuing to be a highlight reel, one of Evan Moore's touchdown was one-handed on a pass from Colt McCoy. Backup tight end Alex Smith reportedly caught a few touchdown passes from Seneca Wallace.
    
   
7. Tight Ends Remain a Priority: While he didn't chart every play, Tony Grossi of the Plain Dealer says that in about 50 snaps the offense took in the red zone on 7-on-7 drills, half of the pass plays were thrown to the tight ends, who continue to look like a big part of the offense. Benjamin Watson remained out with an injury.
    
8. Comparison to Amendola: Who was it here on DBN that compared wide receiver Jordan Norwood to Danny Amendola of the Rams? Well, here is what Pat Shurmur said today:
   
   "[Norwood and Amendola] have the same skill set. Jordan finds a way to get open and he's smart."

Wednesday's Link Collection / Camp Sources

• Cleveland Browns experiencing dog days of summer (Plain Dealer, Grossi)
• News, observations, and notes from practice, August 17 (Akron Beacon Journal, Ulrich)
• Steinbach, Ward, and Hillis don't make it through morning practice (News Herald, Schudel)