The Browns had their final tune-up Wednesday before they play their second preseason game Friday against the Commanders.
Here's what went down on a sunny day in Berea.
Watson looks crisp ahead of debut
Deshaun Watson announced he will be starting Friday against the Washington Commanders, and he turned in a smooth day in the final practice Wednesday.
Watson looked particularly sharp in a seven-on-seven period when he connected on all five of his passes — first a short 3-yard pass, and then a 7-yard pass to Nick Chubb. Then, he threw a 12-yard slant to David Njoku, which drew cheers from the crowd. After that, he found Amari Cooper for a 13-yard slant and then a 3-yard check-down pass to Chubb to avoid a sack.
Watson also looked sharp in a situational red zone period, converting on a fourth-and-5 to TE David Njoku on a perfectly placed ball between two defenders for a touchdown.
Watson will play at least 1-2 drives on Friday, with the goal being to operate the offense well, avoid mistakes and build a solid collection of game reps.
"You just gotta get that routine again," he said. "You just got to start fresh, get back to the basics of how you get yourself prepared for the game. Mentally, physically, and just really just operational for the team so we can go out there and be sharp."
Check out photos of the team during the eleventh day of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Quarterback Kellen Mond (7), Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and Quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (19) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (28) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Wide receiver Anthony Schwartz (10) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Linebacker Charlie Thomas III (35) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (89) and Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Quarterback Kellen Mond (7) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Quarterback Kellen Mond (7) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) and Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Quarterback Kellen Mond (7) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. (9) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
A fan during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Safety Rodney McLeod (26) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Quarterback Kellen Mond (7) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Offensive tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (79) during Day 11 of Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 9, 2023.
Defense secures takeaways
The Browns added S Juan Thornhill over the offseason to lead the defense and help them increase their takeaway total from a year ago, and Thornhill did his part of the job in securing one of two takeaways in Wednesday's practice.
Thornhill made a remarkable play during the 11-on-11 drills when he read a pass and stepped in front of the ball for a clean interception on Watson. Thornhill playfully attempted to run the ball back to the end zone and was chased by a few defensive teammates.
CB Denzel Ward also did his part in forcing takeaways. He deflected a short pass that popped up with enough air time to land in the hands of LB Jordan Kunaszyk, who would've had a clear path to the end zone in a normal game setting.
D-Line opens impresses to open practice
The defensive line also turned in a smooth day, particularly at the beginning of team practice when they successfully prevented numerous running plays and disrupted a few screen passes.
During the first three plays of 11-on-11, the defensive line quickly swarmed Chubb on a few runs. It also tipped a pass from Watson.
