Cleveland Browns Training Camp Report: Day 15 - Hardesty Suffers Another Injury

The Cleveland Browns held their second-to-last session of training camp on Monday. Amidst all of this Bernie Kosar coverage, it's important that we shift our focus back to how things are going for the team, and the upcoming matchup against the Detroit Lions. Here is what we learned from Day 15 of training camp for the Browns.

CLEVELAND BROWNS TRAINING CAMP REPORT - DAY 15 (8/12/13)

1. Bust Out the Wildcat: I thought we were done with the Wildcat, now that Joshua Cribbs is gone. On Monday, the Browns worked on a Wildcat package, though. Daryl Ruiter of the 92.3 The Fan said he "heard rumblings that Chud and Norv threw it in the playbook" and that RB Trent Richardson was taking direct snaps.
   
   Also taking reps from the Wildcat package, according to Scott Petrak of the Chronicle-Telegram, were RB Montario Hardesty and WR Greg Little. Sadly for Hardesty, things didn't turn out too well.
   
   
2. Hardesty Leaves With Thumb Injury: You can't make this stuff up. RB Montario Hardesty returned to team drills for the first time in about two weeks. His hamstring is supposed to be good-to-go. What happens? He injures his right thumb and has to leave practice. According to reports, Hardesty fielded high direct snaps in the Wildcat from backup center Jarrod Shaw. The snap causing the injury was reportedly well over his head.
   
   For Hardesty's sake, I hope he's back on the field tomorrow. I mean, come on -- I know having a basketball hit your pinky the wrong way can cause discomfort for a little bit of time, but can a snap off the thumb really keep someone out for an extended time?
   
   
3. Several Players Return From Injury: Even though Hardesty has an on-and-off injury bug, several players returned to practice on Monday, including CB Chris Owens, WR Jordan Norwood, and OT Oniel Cousins. Cousins has been out for almost all of camp and will be looking to compete for a spot as the team's backup offensive tackle. Norwood and Owens only worked in individual drills, while Owens did some team drills.
   
   
4. Graham Edges in Kicker Competition: According to Petrak, before practice started, the kickers had a competition again. Veteran Shayne Graham made 5 field goals, while rookie Brandon Bogotay only made 4. Both of them made their 53-yard attempts.
   
   The first- and second-team offenses both failed in their two-minute drills, turning the ball over on downs. Both kickers still got cracks at 50-yard field goals. Graham connected on his, while Bogotay's was wide right, according to Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland.
   
5. Brownies: Cavs general manager Chris Grant attended practice. ... OLB Paul Kruger beat RT Mitchell Schwartz for a sack in the two-minute drill, and QB Brandon Weeden missed a couple of throws. ... OLB Barkevious Mingo had a sack in the second-teamers two-minute drill. ... ILB D'Qwell Jackson had the day off, and was replaced by ILB L.J Fort on the first-team defense. ... The Browns were again in shoulder pads and shorts. ... The final practice open to fans is Tuesday at 4 PM.

Dion Lewis beating JMJ in one on one routes #Browns #TrainingCamp https://t.co/f5QJK8nxsX

— Will Burge (@WillBurge) August 12, 2013

#Browns RB Montario Hardesty leaving practice field after injuring right hand. pic.twitter.com/cY8KC6X9UI

— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) August 12, 2013

Link Collection / Training Camp Sources

• Montario Hardesty leaves practice with injured thumb; 3 others return (Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal)
• A new injury for Browns RB Montario Hardesty: Injures thumb on an errant direct snap (Grossi, ESPN Cleveland)
• Browns RB Montario Hardesty leaves practice with injured thumb (Petrak, Chronicle-Telegram)
  
• Browns Camp News And Notes: Day 15 (Ruiter, 92.3 The Fan)