Shortly after practice ended, news broke that Hunt had delayed the team’s training camp drills in a contract dispute. He wants an extension, as he first told cleveland.com in June, and is making his feelings known by only participating in individual workouts. That doesn’t sit well with the Browns, of course, who will fine Hunt for holding him. Under contract for up to $6.25 million in the final year of his two-year extension, Hunt wanted a new deal before camp started and told cleveland.com he wanted to finish his career with the hometown Browns. The Browns, on the other hand, want Hunt to go out and win it this season after missing nine games with injury and COVID-19 in 2021. Hunt, who led the NFL with 1,327 yards as a rookie with the Chiefs in 2017, is slated for a big role with the Browns this season and could earn his next contract with a successful season. But if the two sides remain deadlocked, Hunt could either be traded or released. That would be unfortunate for both sides, because the Browns have a chance to reach the Super Bowl this season if Deshaun Watson plays half the season or more, and Hunt should be a part of that. Hopefully for all involved, they’ll work it out and Hunt will be back with the defenders soon.

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John Johnson III credits Deshaun Watson for the team’s closeness Johnson lamented the gap last season between offense and defense and credits Watson with helping close the gap amid his off-field issues. “Everybody has a little part in it, but I will say early in the offseason, when he took the guys on their little trip (to the Bahamas) I think that sparked something to make everybody a lot closer.” Johnson said. “We did something on our day off together. I’m not going to give you too many details, but a lot of kids came out and we had a lot of fun. So things like that always help translate on the field.” Johnson believes they are “much closer” as a team this year. “The tightest team usually wins when you’re late in games,” he said. “You need that little extra push, that extra chemistry between you to get over that hump. … We all laugh much better. I don’t know if it’s because of COVID. We’re all in the same locker room now, but guys I’ve never talked to before — literally, we’re on the same team around each other every day — and I might not have talked to them. I’m talking to them now and it’s spread throughout the team.” More team building in Jacksonville Stefanski, who broke up minicamp by taking the team to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, is taking the players to Jacksonville early for more team-building activities. They will fly out Wednesday after practice and take a drive to Jacksonville on Thursday. The game is Friday at 7pm “Really, no matter where we were playing, I wanted to go early and do some team activities,” Stefanski said. “There are a few things I think we can take a look at in Jacksonville that I think the players will have a nice experience doing. It just gives us opportunities to do some teamwork exercises. Just being around each other, I felt like the first week (of the season) was the right time to do that.” Three receivers return to practice. someone will ‘waste some time’ Three receivers returned to practice Saturday in David Bell (foot), Anthony Schwartz (knee) and Javon Wims (illness). The starter, sixth-round pick Michael Woods II, will “miss some time” with the injury he suffered Wednesday, Kevin Stefanski said. The return of Bell and Schwartz, in particular, was a welcome sight for the Browns because both are slated for significant roles this season. Stefanski believes they will catch up quickly because of so many reps in the offseason program. Stefanski has not ruled them out for Friday night’s preseason game in Jacksonville. The trio’s return allowed Stefanski to give Amari Cooper a veteran day of rest. Injuries The following players were inactive with injuries: DT Sheldon Day (back), CB Denzel Ward (foot) and Woods (hamstring). Defensive end Steven Weatherly was placed on injured reserve with his knee injury and will undergo season-ending surgery. He was replaced by defensive end Chris Odom, the former USFL Defensive Player of the Year. Defensive end Alex Wright took the field with trainers, but returned and participated in 11-on-11. They said it Johnson on Nick Chubb: “Just the power, just like the explosiveness. You don’t want to get in front of him. I think I played him a few years ago and it wasn’t fun. It’s just a natural, mad ability that he has and doesn’t waste movement. He gets straight to his points and powers through holes. It’s incredible to see.” Bill Callahan on Wyatt Teller saying he’s not afraid to get in big lineman’s faces for a smaller guy: “No. No. He’s getting a little prettier. We all know Wyatt, right?” They made it TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden marks practice with a red zone TD from Josh Rosen and yells “that’s how you end a practice!” The Browns were happy to see Bell back on the field. Greg Newsome II, determined to get some picks this year, had two on Saturday. Martin Emerson works a lot with them with Ward out. – Get the latest Browns merchandise: Here you can order Cleveland Browns gear online including jerseys, t-shirts, hoodies, hats and more. If you or a loved one have questions and need to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline ( NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700. Orange and Browns Talk podcast Listen to past podcasts and stay updated on future pods by subscribing to Apple Podcasts or Spotify. More Browns coverage Highlights from the HOF induction ceremony CB AJ Green makes the most of opportunities OL coach Bill Callahan talks about his early years Kareem Hunt sits out drills, wants new deal Video recap of Browns Day 9 camp What Kevin Stefanski said on Day 9: Transcript Rookie Michael Woods II to waste time Receivers return from injury at Browns camp Watch Day 8 highlights from Browns camp What happened on Day 8 of Browns camp Will the NFL get what it wants on appeal? Podcasts The NFLPA responds to the NFL’s call to suspend Watson How Baker Mayfield did Friday at Panthers camp Kevin Stefanski’s transcript of Friday’s press conference Rookie Martin Emerson Jr. has been advertised Stefanski says the Browns need to prepare Watson Jakeem Grant Sr. more than a returnee: Film review Ashley Solis calls out the NFL for Watson’s decision Goodell appoints former NJ attorney general to appeal