The Browns began their preparations for one of the NFL's top defensive lines with a handful of offensive line starters on the sidelines.

Right tackle Shon Coleman remained in the NFL's concussion protocol and center JC Tretter sat out the session with injuries to his shoulder, knee and quadriceps.

Coleman is optimistic about his chances of playing Sunday but Browns coach Hue Jackson stressed there are still a few hurdles to clear.

"In his mind, he is ready to practice and play right now but not the protocol," Jackson said. "The protocol doesn't say so."

If Coleman isn't available, the Browns are poised to start rookie Zach Banner against a Jacksonville defensive line that serves as the backbone of one of the NFL's best defenses. Spencer Drango, meanwhile, is set to make his third start in place of injured veteran Joe Thomas at left tackle.

The Jaguars lead the league with 35 sacks, many of which coming from the team's dynamic front four.

"We have played some good pass rush teams. We have played some good defensive football teams. They are good," Jackson said. "There is no question about it. (Calais) Campbell, No. 91 (DE Yannick Ngakoue), No. 50 (Telvin Smith), they have good players. We respect that, but we still have to play the game. We are going to show up on Sunday. I know that."

-- Browns quarterback DeShone Kizer was listed as limited at Wednesday's practice, but neither the rookie nor his coach believe he'll be inhibited against the Jaguars.

Kizer said he's received plenty of medical treatment on the ribs since suffering the injury late in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Lions.

"Is he sore? Yes, but I think that is expected," Jackson said. "I think we will get through that part of it shortly."

-- The Browns had their best rushing performance of the season against the Lions, gaining 201 yards and scoring two touchdowns on the ground. At points, Cleveland completely controlled the game because it was gaining so many yards on a consistent basis with its three-headed monster of Kizer and running backs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson Jr.

It just wasn't enough to satisfy Jackson, who said Wednesday the Browns would need to be better on the ground in order to beat the Jaguars.

"AFC North football. That is what it is, AFC North football. You have to be able to run the ball," Jackson said. "It is that time of year where you start to run the football. Hopefully, we can run it well. We have to run it better than what we did in Detroit. I know that. I think our players understand that. This is a good team. We have our work cut out for us. That is the fun part."

The Browns enter Sunday's game ranked 17th in the NFL with an average of 106.9 rushing yards per game. The Jaguars are 25th in the league at stopping the run (120.7 per game).