Skip to main content
Advertising

Training Camp Observations

Browns defense stands strong against Eagles' offense in joint practice | Training Camp Observations

Browns and Eagles holding two joint practices ahead of preseason game in Week 2

TrainingCampObservations_8.13.25

PHILADELPHIA – As the Browns took the field at NovaCare Complex with Lincoln Financial Field's silhouette in the background, they prepared for the first of two joint practices with the Eagles.

For the second set of joint practices ahead of preseason Week 2, the Browns traveled to face the defending Super Bowl champions in the Eagles. The joint practices provide Cleveland with an opportunity to face an offensive and defensive scheme not seen during the regular season.

"Looking forward to the next couple of days here with Philly," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Obviously, Nick (Sirianni) and Howie (Roseman) and their entire group are gracious hosts for having us down here, and we're going to get a lot of good work done today and tomorrow, in all sorts of situations. So, we're really looking forward to it. Obviously, we've done this with the (Philadelphia) Eagles both here and in Berea, so we feel really good about the structure and the plan and that type of thing, but excited about the work we'll get out here."

Here are the main observations from the first day of joint practices.

7-on-7 Drills

As the Browns and Eagles split up onto two fields to run a 7-on-7 period, QB Kenny Pickett took reps first for Cleveland. Pickett is still limited in practice as he returns from a hamstring injury but has continued to take reps in the 7-on-7 drills. He connected with TE Harold Fannin Jr. and RB Dylan Sampson on two of his early reps. He then found WR Diontae Johnson for a pass down the sideline, as well as WR Jerry Jeudy on a long pass downfield.

QB Dillon Gabriel took the next set of reps for the Browns' offense, starting off with a completion to Fannin. QB Tyler Huntley rounded out the reps for the Browns, finding RB Toa Taua for a pass and WR Gage Larvadain for the completion.

Defensively, the Browns linebackers and secondary made their presence known in their own set of 7-on-7 drills. CB Myles Harden broke up a pass by QB Jalen Hurts, while LB Devin Bush picked off a pass on another rep.

Check out the top shots from Day 13 of 2025 Browns Training Camp as players got to work with drills, workouts and team prep in Philadelphia.

11-on-11 Drills

In 11-on-11 drills, QB Joe Flacco took the first set of reps and connected with TE Blake Whiteheart, WR Jamari Thrash and WR Cedric Tillman. In a second set of team drills, Flacco found Jeudy in the middle of the field for a completion and handed the ball of to Sampson who found an opening lane to run the ball.

Gabriel took reps in 11-on-11 for the second consecutive day as he returns from hamstring tightness. He handed the ball off to Strong and connected with Thrash on a pass across the middle of the field. In a red zone team drill, Gabriel also found RB Trayveon Williams in the end zone for a touchdown.

QB Shedeur Sanders did not take reps in 7-on-7 or team drills, as he sustained an oblique injury throwing early in practice on Wednesday, and was held out the remainder of practice.

The Browns' defense excelled on the first day of joint practices – particularly the defensive line and the front seven during 11-on-11 periods. They applied pressure on Hurts during the team drills, as well as recorded "sacks." DE Myles Garrett would have recorded two sacks and flushed Hurts out of the pocket on multiple reps. DT Mason Graham broke through the offensive line and pressured Hurts for the "sack." DE Alex Wright had a "sack" while LB Carson Schwesinger had half a "sack."

That pressure continued throughout the team periods, and as the Browns and Eagles closed out practice with a final team period, Graham recorded another sack, while DE Isaiah McGuire pressured Hurts. DE Cameron Thomas also applied pressure to Hurts on a few reps.

"I love seeing those guys in the backfield causing havoc," CB Denzel Ward said. "Rushers and corners work together, so it's just fun seeing those guys work and they're going to help us out. We're going to help them out."

But the secondary also made their presence known. While the Eagles' receiver caught a pass from Hurts near the sideline, Harden was there in coverage to stop the play. S Ronnie Hickman also picked off a pass from Hurts.

Browns' corners working with Eagles WR DeVonta Smith

During an early portion of practice in which both teams worked an individual period, Browns' cornerbacks Greg Newsome II and Ward took extra reps with Eagles WR DeVonta Smith. They took turns lining up across from Smith and took reps practicing coverage of Smith.

As the period came to a close, Ward and Smith chatted on the field.

"Pretty much just talking ball, talking releases, talking about what he sees when the guy is pressing and just going back and forth," Ward said. "I'm telling him what I see and just having a great conversation about how we could better our game."

Related Content

Advertising