Speedy Browns receiver Schwartz making progress
There seems no doubt receiver Anthony Schwartz, a third-round pick who ran an unofficial 4.26 40-yard-dash at Auburn's pro day, will make the Cleveland Browns roster. But Schwartz aggravated a hamstring injury suffered in the spring and didn't return to team drills until Thursday.
After missing the first two preseason games, Schwartz played 19 snaps against the Falcons on Sunday and caught one pass for 6 yards. Baker Mayfield threw an incompletion to Schwartz on the Browns' second play and cornerback A.J. Terrell, the Falcons' first-round pick in 2020, was flagged for a 28-yard pass interference penalty.
“That was good that we could get him out there,” coach Kevin Stefanski said of Schwartz. "He worked hard in rehab, slowly worked his way into individual and team periods. That was kind of our plan, to get him around 15 to 20 snaps, get the game speed of the thing. We got the ball in his hands; he drew a DPI early in the ballgame. Really good to see him out there and it's something that we can hopefully grow upon.”
Stefanski wasn't ready to say that Schwartz will be ready for the Sept. 12 opener at Kansas City.
“All those types of things remain to be seen,” Stefanski said. “I think it's really good for a rookie, a young player to get
out there in the game setting and make some plays. It's a good part of the progression.”
Field-goal challenge
With four seconds left in the first half Sunday, Stefanski sent kicker Chase Mclaughlin out for a 57-yard field goal attempt.
Mclaughlin's try hit the crossbar and bounced out.
“I don't know what the percentage is you're expecting to make on [57], but we wanted to put our field goal unit, not just Chase, in a tough spot,” Stefanski said. “Snapper [Charley Hughlett], holder [Jamie Gillan], the entire blocking group. That was a challenge.