Spencer German reports the latest news and rumors surrounding the Cleveland Browns from the practice facility in Berea.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 [MUSIC]
00:10 Hey Browns fans, Spencer German back with you live from Borea.
00:13 The Browns wrapped up the week of practice as they get ready to take on the Houston Texans
00:17 coming your way on Sunday on Christmas Eve.
00:20 Chance to deliver potentially a early Christmas present if they can get a win and
00:25 get some help as they would clinch a playoff bro for
00:28 the first time in a couple of years here since 2020.
00:31 So excited to be with you, recap the week that was and what lies ahead for the Browns.
00:35 And obviously first and foremost on everybody's mind,
00:38 that involuntary injury list that continues to get longer and
00:41 longer for this Browns team this year.
00:42 Some good news though on Friday is Joe Batonio did return to the practice field
00:47 today, I will tell you that he did look like he was still favoring the back.
00:52 We'll get a quick update from Kevin Stefanski here momentarily on that, but
00:56 I certainly saw him active with his offensive line mates.
01:00 But also had some moments where he kind of had to step aside and catch his breath and
01:05 kind of lean over and bend his back and stretch that thing out.
01:08 So clearly still favoring it, clearly still an issue for him.
01:12 But knowing Joe Batonio and the type of player that he is,
01:15 as he enters the weekend listed as questionable.
01:17 My guess is he's probably gonna try to give it a go,
01:21 knowing what's at stake for this team.
01:22 Knowing that he wants to be out there and
01:24 continue fighting through just sort of in his nature that he would.
01:27 So we'll see if officially he plays, my best guess is that he will try.
01:31 When he enters the week and is questionable,
01:33 other injury notes going into this game against the Texans.
01:36 Oboe Kwonkwo, who didn't practice all week, still dealing with that pec injury.
01:40 And we still don't have an update on whether or not it's season ending or not.
01:44 He will not play.
01:45 Jordan Kanashuk, the linebacker, will not play as he is out.
01:50 And also safety Juan Thornhill dealing with that calf injury,
01:52 also out for this weekend.
01:54 The last player deemed out already before we even get to the thinking about
01:59 the game on Sunday, is linebacker Anthony Walker.
02:02 Who kind of a weird instance this week, where he started the week of practice.
02:06 Granted, Wednesday was more of a walkthrough for the Browns.
02:09 He started the week of practice limited and progressively got worse to the point
02:13 where he was a DNP here on Thursday and Friday.
02:16 And he's already been ruled out with a knee injury.
02:18 The word is that he did have his knee scoped, according to team personnel.
02:23 And it sounds like that's something that we're gonna have to monitor moving
02:26 forward.
02:27 Kevin Stefanski, as I mentioned, providing updates on both Joe Batonio and
02:32 his potential status for Sunday, as well as Anthony Walker.
02:35 A little bit of an ominous answer on Walker.
02:37 Here's what he had to say.
02:38 >> Fortunately, he had something going on with his knee.
02:43 We'll continue to work through it with him.
02:45 But disappointed that he's not gonna make it this week.
02:49 >> I think Joe will.
02:50 >> He's gonna continue to work through that the next 48 hours.
02:55 I think it's important to see how he responds.
02:57 He got a plane ride coming up.
02:59 But he's continuing to fight.
03:01 >> So again, with Joel, it sounds like a pain tolerance thing,
03:05 something that they're gonna monitor as they make their way out west to Houston.
03:09 See if he's able to go.
03:11 For Anthony Walker, we didn't put in the extra sort of note he made there.
03:15 As Stefanski was asked point blank if it was gonna be a season ending type of
03:20 injury for him.
03:21 And or not that, excuse me.
03:23 He was asked if it was gonna need surgery.
03:25 And he basically said, we'll update you in the coming days.
03:28 So no official word, somewhat ominous.
03:30 We don't get a full picture, I guess, on what the deal is with Anthony Walker.
03:33 But we know for at least this weekend, he will be ruled out.
03:36 On the other side of the matchup, the Houston Texans,
03:40 it is worth noting that CJ Shryde once again not practicing
03:45 as he was not at practice on Friday as well.
03:50 Meaning that it'll pave the way for
03:53 Case Keenum likely to get the start for the Texans.
03:58 Old friend used to be here with the Cleveland Browns.
04:01 Miles Garrett did take a moment to reflect on his time with Case Keenum.
04:05 And what he thinks about going up against his old teammate this weekend.
04:09 [BLANK_AUDIO]
04:12 >> I stayed in touch with him all week.
04:15 Excited that he's gonna be back in the building next week with us.
04:18 He's living and dying from LA watching us play.
04:24 But he's supporting his teammates every day.
04:27 So be good to have him back in person.
04:29 >> Maybe on the sidelines for the Jets game, possibly?
04:31 >> We'll see.
04:32 >> That was actually Kevin Sofansky, I apologize.
04:37 He was talking about DeSean Watson, who worth noting,
04:40 DeSean Watson is going to be back in town this weekend.
04:44 He has a fundraiser going on here in Cleveland on Saturday.
04:47 Now what that means for the week ahead, he's going to be rejoining the team.
04:51 We should see him at the team facility this upcoming week.
04:54 So some big news there in that he's obviously been out in LA rehabbing after
04:59 the shoulder surgery, trying to get himself back to normal as he
05:04 continues to progress through the post surgery protocols and whatnot.
05:09 But he hasn't been around the team very much.
05:11 And there was a lot of conversation made about his presence with the team when
05:15 they were in LA playing the Rams and how he was up in a box.
05:18 Sounds like now there's a chance that he could maybe make an appearance on
05:21 the sideline.
05:22 Kevin Sofansky saying we'll see about that.
05:24 But the important thing that he notes there is that he is keeping in touch with
05:28 him.
05:28 It sounds like DeSean is keeping in touch with his teammates and
05:30 that he is following along with the team this season all the way from LA.
05:35 So take that for what it is.
05:37 But I thought it was an interesting note with Sean said to come back into town and
05:40 we'll obviously see what unfolds in the coming days slash week.
05:44 Whether or not he is around the team and
05:47 what his presence is on that Thursday night game against the Jets.
05:49 We'll go back here.
05:51 I mentioned Miles Garrett talking about going against his former teammate,
05:55 Case Keenum, which feels even more likely given that CJ Schrod, as I mentioned,
05:58 did not practice the Texans on Friday.
06:00 Here's what Miles had to say about having a chance to sack Case Keenum.
06:05 >> I think Case is a great guy.
06:07 A lot of fun.
06:09 The years he was here.
06:11 Man, he's a heck of a talent.
06:14 He's clever.
06:15 And he goes out there and
06:17 joins the game every time he's up on the field, whether that's practice or a game.
06:21 And I know he'll have a lighthearted demeanor.
06:24 We'll have to rub the face off, but it's a know how it feels.
06:28 [BLANK_AUDIO]
06:31 >> Some good camaraderie there between the two.
06:33 I know Case Keenum was on the Manning cast and mentioned he had some sort of,
06:37 I don't know, backdoor deal with Miles about how he would let him get a couple
06:41 sacks ahead of time so that he could get it out of the way.
06:43 And then that would be it for his day.
06:46 Miles joked about that, said he didn't have anything in writing, so
06:49 he's gonna have to earn them.
06:50 But yeah, it's obviously some camaraderie there and
06:53 the familiarity given that he used to play here with the Cleveland Browns.
06:57 And now Miles kind of a role reversal here, gets a chance to try to sack him.
07:01 Of course, I'll end you with this, because it's been the topic of conversation all
07:06 throughout the week in this building behind me.
07:08 Miles Garrett being politic for defensive player of the year.
07:13 You heard Kevin Stansky make some comments on it early in the week.
07:16 You heard Jim Schwartz make some comments on it.
07:19 You heard even Bubba Ventron, the special teams coordinator,
07:22 makes some comments on it, calling Miles the team MVP.
07:26 Even beyond Dustin Hopkins, who by the way,
07:29 is closing in on breaking Jim Brown's record for the most points in a single
07:32 season if he can get six more points.
07:34 So big deal for him.
07:35 But obviously, Miles' season has been tremendous.
07:37 And he was asked now, point blank, with everybody else talking about him and
07:41 making his case for defensive player of the year,
07:44 what does he think about whether or not he should be worthy of the honor?
07:47 >> [LAUGH] I think I should stay focused on what's ahead of me.
07:52 And I don't know how this other thing is working for our building and
07:57 candidacy, I can make sure this team continues to win and
08:00 I continue to be a mindful part of that.
08:03 >> Saying all the right things, as Miles pretty much has this season.
08:08 And he continues to go out there and make a huge impact for this team.
08:11 He'll look to do it again against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
08:15 Major, major implications in this game, as we've talked about throughout the week.
08:19 If the Browns get a win, eight different scenarios that can happen where they
08:22 would make the playoffs this weekend, clinch that playoff berth that they've been
08:26 hoping and longing and trying to get to throughout the first 15 weeks.
08:30 Now 16 weeks of the season.
08:33 They all start though with Cleveland getting a win against the Houston Texans.
08:36 Obviously, it would bring a lot of Browns fans a lot of joy this holiday season.
08:40 If they get the job done in Houston, take care of business and
08:43 let the cards fall where they may.
08:45 That's gonna do it for our weekly practice report here on Friday to wrap up
08:49 the week of practice.
08:51 Browns and Texans obviously coming your way on Sunday.
08:55 Be sure to follow along with all things Cleveland Browns right here on
08:59 the Browns Digest YouTube channel, and of course over at BrownsDigest.com.
09:03 [BLANK_AUDIO]