BEREA — The second day of joint practices between the Browns and Minnesota Vikings gets underway Thursday afternoon.
The first day could best be scored as wins for both defenses. Thursday will provide a chance for both offenses to try to flip the script, although neither defense seems like the kind that will be willing to give and inch.
Regardless, Thursday will be the last time this week either team's first units get in any work. Saturday's preseason game will be for the bottom half of the roster, and some backups as well, to get their work.
Follow along here throughout Thursday for updates from Berea. Not just for what happens on the field, but any other news that emerges as well:
Rookie defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. could be out a while with the stinger he sustained during Wednesday's practice. Head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked after Thursday's practice if there was a chance it could keep Hall out a while, and he answered, "Yes."
Hall was on the field for Thursday's practice. However, he was not in full equipment.
The injury happened a little more than 24 hours after Hall was arrested by Avon police on a domestic violence charge involving his fiancee, who's also the mother of his son. The Browns have not publicly discipline Hall for the arrest, while the NFL's official stance, per a spokeperson, is that they're "in contact with the club regarding the matter which will be reviewed under the Personal Conduct Policy."
Cornerback Greg Newsome II was on the field with a helmet going through a rehab assignment following the Browns' walk-through in the morning. The fourth-year pro has been out all training camp on the non-football injury list after surgery on his hamstring right before camp.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski, who had said at the start of camp the expectation was to have Newsome back for the regular-season opener, did not have an updated timetable for his return.
"He's is doing really well," Stefanski said. "I don't have a time frame for you. I think he would tell you he's feeling really good."
It was understood that Saturday's preseason game was going to be all about Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley at quarterback for the Browns. What wasn't known was the exact order they were going to play.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said after Thursday's practice that Thompson-Robinson was going to start and play the first half. The second half, then, would belong to Huntley.
The two quarterbacks had basically flipped those roles in the opener against the Green Bay Packers. Huntley took over and finished out the first half after Jameis Winston started and played one series before Thompson-Robinson played out the second half.
Three Browns players left Thursday's practice at different times during the day. However, head coach Kevin Stefanski did not sound alarmed about any of their statuses long-term.
Tight end David Njoku took a shot during 1 on 1 drills and didn't practice the rest of the day. Wide receiver Amari Cooper appeared to tweak something in his leg after making a catch during an 11 on 11 red zone drill and went into the facility.
Stefanski's answer for both players when asked individually was the same: "Sore."
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II also left practice after suffering an undisclosed injury late in an 11 on 11 deep red zone drill. He appeared to slam his helmet down after the play before going to the trainer's room.
Stefanski had no update on Hurst after practice. Hurst, though, spoke of his desire to play a full season prior to practice after last season was cut short in Week 14 with a pectoral injury, his latest injury issue.
“Yeah, yeah, I mean that's just dominance for me personally," Hurst said. "That's everything that I train for. Everything I work for is to be out there with my guys as much as possible to make big plays and be very productive.”
Defensive end Za’Darius Smith was back on the field for the first time since suffering a knee contusion last week. He had been taken off in a cart when he left practice on Aug. 5.
Cornerback Denzel Ward and defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. were not practicing Thursday. Ward is in concussion protocol while Hall is recovering from a stinger sustained in Wednesday’s practice.
The overarching story from Wednesday centered around second-round pick Mike Hall Jr., who had been arrested on a domestic violence charge the day before. Despite being arrested just 24 hours earlier, the Streetsboro High School and Ohio State product was on the field practicing.
However, Hall suffered an injury late in 11 on 11 drills that required assistance from the medical staff. After not announcing anything Wednesday, the Browns said Thursday morning that the defensive tackle had sustained a stinger.
The Browns said Hall was not in concussion protocol, but no further updates. There was no word whether he would practice Thursday.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns-Vikings joint practices day 2 updates: Mike Hall Jr. may be out a bit with stinger
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