The Cleveland Browns wrapped up their training camp on Tuesday, August 25, marking the end of what feels like an eternity of drills and competition. But the final day wasn’t all celebrations; rookie undrafted cornerback Michael Coats, who was absolutely tearing it up as the team’s top camp gem, had to be helped off the field. He couldn’t put any weight on his right ankle, and man, that’s just brutal for a guy fighting for a spot.
A “Camp Gem” Now Facing an Uphill Climb
You just hate to see it. Coats was making a serious name for himself this offseason, turning heads and looking like a real find for Cleveland’s defense. For an undrafted rookie to shine that bright, it means he was outworking everyone and proving his worth every single day. Then, on the final practice of camp, a sudden ankle injury. This could be a huge setback, not just for his immediate chances of making the 53-man roster as cuts loom, but for his early career momentum. You gotta feel for the guy; he was doing everything right. Hopefully, it’s nothing too serious and he can get back on track ASAP.
Who’s In and Who’s Out As Decisions Loom
With camp closing, every rep matters, and some guys were making their case right up to the end. Quarterback Deshaun Watson’s first pass of the day went to tight end Blake Whiteheart, who’s been a consistent target these past few weeks. With Jack Stoll going on IR, Whiteheart looks like the clear favorite for that backup tight end spot. Talk about seizing an opportunity, right? Another QB making plays was Shedeur Sanders, connecting with wide receiver Malachi Corley down the sideline during a 7-on-7 drill. These are the kinds of connections that could earn guys a roster spot at the back end of the depth chart, especially with cuts coming this weekend. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. A brief scrum even broke out towards the end of practice after Tre Avery knocked the ball loose from Kole Wilson, with Tytus Howard jumping in. Sounded like guys were joking about it after, but still, those competitive juices were flowing!
On the injury front, it wasn’t all bad news. Running back Quinshon Judkins returned to team drills after missing a couple of practices last week and being limited yesterday. That’s a good sign for him to get back into the swing of things before the final preseason game. Also, center Parker Brailsford returned to practice, which is always good to see. However, offensive tackle Spencer Fano and defensive tackle Maliek Collins were held out of team drills, so their statuses are definitely something to watch.
So what’s next for the Browns? They’ve got one final preseason game on Thursday evening, and then it’s crunch time. Roster cuts are due this weekend, and decisions will have to be made. For some, it’s the start of a dream; for others, a brutal end to their camp journey.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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