Peppers working with first-team defense

Rookie Jabrill Peppers made the hit of the day during training camp Aug. 14 when he drilled wide receiver Rannell Hall with a high, upper-body blow on the right sideline as Hall hauled in an 18-yard pass.

Jabrill Peppers on Aug. 14 practiced at strong safety with the Browns first-team defense for the first time since training camp began on July 27. The way he performed, it will be difficult to send him back to second string.

Peppers made the hit of the day when he drilled wide receiver Rannell Hall with a high, upper-body blow on the right sideline as Hall hauled in an 18yard pass from DeShone Kizer on third-and-one in a short yardage drill. It might have been the hardest hit of training camp — harder than anything anyone on either team delivered in the preseason game with the Saints on Aug. 10.

Hall, trying to grab one of the last receiver spots on the team, held onto the ball.

“That’s football,” Coach Hue Jackson said. “You don’t want those (against a teammate), but they’re going to happen. It’s a live period. He was trying to get the ball out. There is no question. He wasn’t trying to hurt him. He was trying to tackle him and get him down. Sometimes that’s a reflex by players. It is OK.”

Peppers did not rest on the one big hit. Later he haunted quarterback Brock Osweiler in a two-minute drill. He broke up passes on consecutive plays and then on fourth down intercepted a pass over the middle intended for Josh Boyce. Jackson’s only criticism was Peppers tried to return the pick for a touchdown. Jackson said Peppers should have gone to the ground because the play simulated the final play of the game.

“I was trying to explain to him in that situation, the game’s over; just get down,” Jackson said. “Game over, let’s protect the lead. That’s a teaching moment for him.

“He’s growing and getting better every day. There’ve been questions about if he can play in the post. I think he’s showing he can play anywhere. I think he’s a very dynamic player, and I’m glad he is here.”

The Browns selected Peppers, from Michigan, with the 25th pick after trading the 12th pick to Houston for the 25th pick and the Texans’ first pick next year.

Peppers is also working as the first team punt returner and kick returner.

RON SCHWANE — ASSOCIATED PRESS Browns safety Jabrill Peppers plays against the Saints on Aug. 10.