Cleveland Browns: 4 takeaways from first days of 2022 training camp
By Randy Gurzi
No. 3: Injuries continue to be a problem
As mentioned already, players such as Demetric Felton who are on the bubble could find a way to the Week 1 roster due to injury concerns. And for the Browns, the wide receiver position — which has already had problems in recent years — is once again dealing with some injury woes.
Rookie third-round pick David Bell, who is expected to compete for the No. 3 spot on the receiving depth chart, had to start camp on the PUP list due to a foot injury. Another receiver will now be joining him on the sidelines as second-year receiver Anthony Schwartz injured his left knee on Thursday.
WR Anthony Schwartz is walking off the field with a trainer. Left a drill earlier and was having his left knee stretched #Browns
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) July 28, 2022
Cleveland also has a couple of established starters not practicing as cornerback Denzel Ward and right tackle Jack Conklin both were placed on the PUP list. Ward also has a foot injury and was seen in a walking boot while at a youth camp.
He said at the time he should be ready to go for camp, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were activated soon. Still, with his history of durability concerns, it’s always a bit alarming when his name and an ailment are mentioned together.
As for Conklin, he’s still recovering from a torn patellar tendon that he suffered in Week 12 of the 2021 season. His placement on the inactive list wasn’t unexpected at all.
Still, it has to be concerning for Cleveland that injuries continue to be a problem. The past couple of seasons have seen some big names forced to the sidelines in recent years and there was hope their fortune would change in 2022. It’s still early, but this isn’t an ideal start in that department.