Browns, Giants have testy practice
Cleveland CB Hill exchanges punches with N.Y.’S Shepard
The Giants planned to hit some golf balls as a team bonding exercise Friday night.
They didn’t invite the Browns.
Tempers flared during the second joint practice between the teams, with Browns cornerback Troy Hill and Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard squaring off and throwing punches at each other well after the session ended.
Hill and Shepard were part of a group of players mingling in the middle of the two practice fields following the tense, twohour workout in humid weather conditions when they suddenly began swinging.
Shepard, who ducked under a wild punch from Hill, then pulled off his shirt as he walked away to
do an interview with New York media members. He didn’t mention the incident with Hill before boarding one of the team buses waiting nearby.
“That is news to me. Thank you for breaking that to me,” said Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who was unaware of the skirmish when he met with reporters. “I’ll review the tape.”
The two practices were a warm up to Sunday’s exhibition game at Firstenergy Stadium. Stefanski said quarterback Baker Mayfield will not play and that he intended to rest the majority of his starters for the second straight week.
New York coach Joe Judge planned to talk to Stefanski before deciding whether he’ll play starting quarterback Daniel Jones and the other first-teamers.
Judge said he’ll treat New York’s exhibition at New England as more of a dress rehearsal for the season opener.
Giants star running back Saquon Barkley did some drills against his teammates but was held out any action against the Browns. Judge said Barkley, who is working his way back from a devastating knee injury, will be evaluated following the week before potentially ramping up his activity.
Chiefs 17, Cardinals 10: Chad Henne and rookie Shane Buechele
threw touchdown passes to help Kansas City top Arizona.
Washington 17, Bengals 13: Jaret Patterson rushed for 71 yards and a score in Washington’s win.
Browns: Cleveland linebacker Jacob Phillips tore his biceps and could miss most of this season, a person familiar with his situation told The Associated Press on Friday. Phillips was hurt Thursday during the first of two joint practices against the New York Giants. He could return later this season, said the person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team has not disclosed his medical status . ... Browns tight end David Njoku has changed his mind — again. After asking to be traded by Cleveland a year ago, Njoku now says he’s happy and comfortable with the Browns and has asked his agent to try and work out a contract extension with the team.
Chargers: Los Angeles put safety Nasir Adderly and cornerback Ryan Smith on the COVID-19 list Friday.
Note: Arizona Cardinals 11-time Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald says he currently doesn’t have the desire to play an 18th NFL season, though he left the possibility open that he might resume his career.