CLEVELAND, Ohio — If all goes well in practice next week, receiver Odell Beckham Jr. could make his 2021 debut next week at home against the Bears.
The fact that Beckham didn’t feel ready to play in Kansas City after pre-game warmups came as somewhat of a surprise, considering that he looked so good in practice and had ramped up in team drills.
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt provided some insight into the team’s plans for Beckham in K.C. when he said rookie receiver Anthony Schwartz took “a fair amount” of reps designed for Beckham. Fortunately for the Browns, Schwartz answered the bell, catching three passes for 69 yards among his 31 snap, including a long of 44 yards. Schwartz can take the top off of a defense like Beckham can, but the Browns were hoping for a double dose of that lethal speed against the Chiefs.
The silver lining is Schwartz got some valuable experience. Jarvis Landry said Schwartz, whom he mentored throughout the offseason, played a near-perfect game.
As for Beckham, the Browns left it up to him to decide how he felt in pre-game warmups, and he just didn’t feel ready just 10 months from ACL surgery. Perhaps it was a mental hurdle -- anyone watching Beckham practice all summer would conclude he looked physically ready.
After giving plenty of Week 1 practice reps to Beckham, Kevin Stefanski settled the issue by ruling him out Wednesday for the Texans game. The extra two weeks might just be enough for Beckham to face the Bears, at least for a limited package of plays.
Grant Delpit’s return
The Browns are eager to see what Delpit can do today. He’s worked so hard to come back from his ruptured Achilles and hamstring injury, and he’ll have a chance to finally play some of the many roles they have planned for him.
Their second-round pick in 2020 out of LSU, Delpit hoped to be ready for the opener, but the re-aggravation of his hamstring last month foiled those plans. Now he’s ready to play in some of the three-safety packages along with John Johnson III and Ronnie Harrison Jr. This is the defensive look the Browns have been waiting to roll out for a long time, and will likely be one of their most oft-used formations if Delpit is up to it.
The fact that Delpit is ready just a little more than a year after surgery is remarkable. About 26% of NFL players never return from a ruptured Achilles, and Delpit has worked to avoid that falling into that category.
Takk McKinley earned more playing time
McKinley played 24 snaps against the Chiefs, likely earning more playing time. McKinley’s speed off the ball, which is evident every day in practice, translated to a disruptive effort on the field. He tied rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah as the fourth-best Browns defender vs. the Chiefs with a 69.5 grade. For comparison’s sake, Myles Garrett ranked No. 6, and Jadeveon Clowney No. 9.
Clowney, who was sick most of the week leading into Kansas City, played 50 snaps — more than twice as many as McKinley. Defensive line coach Chris Kiffin said Clowney was “inconsistent,” but is hoping for a better outing against the Texans, the team that drafted him No. 1 in 2014. Meanwhile, Kiffin praised McKinley and his speed off the edge.
“He exploded off the ball,’’ Kiffin said. ”He ... made a great tackle down the line, closing on the play. That’s all we talk about, so he really did fit into the system.’’
Owusu-Koramoah ready for more
Defensive coordinator Joe Woods took it slowly with the rookie, giving him 25 snaps. Again, finishing tied with McKinley for fourth with a 69.5 grade, Owusu-Koramaoah likely earned more playing time. Mack Wilson played 22 snaps and Malcolm Smith 17, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Koramoah up around 50%-60%.
Smith will likely replace Anthony Walker Jr.
Smith will likely be pressed into service as Walker is out at least three weeks with a hamstring injury. It’s a blow because Walker wears the green sticker and calls the defensive plays.
Jedrick Wills Jr. has a chance
Wills moved pretty well Friday without too much of a limp, and there’s a chance he can still face the Texans. With reserve tackle Chris Hubbard out with a triceps injury, if Wills can’t go, rookie James Hudson, the fourth-round pick out of Cincinnati, will likely start at either left or right tackle, with Jack Conklin manning the opposite side.
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