Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 23 - Hardesty to Play Thursday

Despite a little bit of rain in the morning, the Cleveland Browns took the field outside on Sunday with camp open to the public. How did everyone do in the team's first practice after Friday night's game versus the Detroit Lions?

TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 23 (8/21/11)

1. Hardesty Expected to Play Thursday: The big news of the day came during Pat Shurmur's post-game press conference, when he stated that running back Montario Hardesty would see action against the Philadelphia Eagles.
    
2. The Other Running Backs: It was good to hear that starting running back Peyton Hillis was back on the practice field Sunday, giving the impression that he will be ready to start on Thursday. Backup Brandon Jackson was still having his toe looked at, so instead of a Hillis-Jackson combination, we'll probably see a Hillis-Hardesty combination. This is Hardesty's chance to climb back up the depth chart; that is, if you believe he had ever lost the No. 2 role.
    
3. Massaquoi to do Light Running: While wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi is expected to do some light running this week, head coach Pat Shurmur said that Massquoi "probably is not going to play Thusday." He seemed optimistic that he'll be back after that though, so I don't think he'll start the season the PUP or anything like that.
    
4. Others Missing Action: The players who missed practice included S Usama Young, S T.J. Ward, LB Chris Gocong, TE Evan Moore, LG Eric Steinbach, and LB Steve Octavien. Moore did suffer a concussion, but he tweeted that he is "100% okay," and Shurmur didn't rule him out for Thursday. Shurmur also said that Steinbach is feeling better and they hope to have him back in the lineup real soon.
    
5. The Returning Players: You might have noticed two players missing from the list above who I haven't mentioned yet: TE Ben Watson and LB Scott Fujita. Both players were back to practice on Friday, and it's particularly refreshing to hear that Fujita is back in there given the team's lack of depth at linebacker behind him.
    
6. Cribbs Tweaks a Hammy: Unfortunately, WR Joshua Cribbs fell victim to the hamstring bug that has been running rampant on players during camp. He had his left leg wrapped by the end of practice, so his status for Thursday's game is uncertain.
    
7. Pinkston Still on the First Team: Even though OG John Greco started at left guard against the Lions, rookie Jason Pinkston remained with the first-team offense at left guard during practice. Maybe he'll get some reps Thursday to start off the game, but I'm thinking maybe Steinbach will be back by then.
    
8. Defense Defends Two Minute Drills: According to Nate Ulrich of the ABJ, the defensive units won the battles in the two-minute drills for the most part. The first-team unit's drive ended when Dimitri Patterson broke up a pass to Jordan Norwood, the second-team unit scored on a 37-yard field goal by Phil Dawson, and the third team ended because Jarrett Brown didn't know what to do with the football.
    
9. Brownies: It seems as though Jabaal Sheard has changed his jersey number from No. 90 to No. 97 (hope you didn't waste your money yet)...Nate Ulrich of the ABJ made note of drops by TE Jordan Cameron, TE Alex Smith, and WR Greg Little (two)...DB James Dockery was back playing cornerback, this time with the second-string defense.

Sunday's Link Collection / Camp Sources

• RB Montario Hardesty to play on Thursday (Plain Dealer, Cabot)
• Notes and observations from Browns training camp (Akron Beacon Journal, Ulrich)
• TE Evan Moore has mild concussion (Plain Dealer, Cabot)
• Browns Rapid Reports (CBS Sports, Gitlin)
• Shurmur's post-practice press conference