McKinley returns to Browns

DE was gone three weeks for personal reasons

Takkarist McKinley isn’t practicing, but the 6-foot-2, 265-pound defensive end is back with the Browns after missing three weeks for personal reasons.

McKinley has actually been with the team “for a few days,” Coach Kevin Stefanski said after reporters spotted McKinley outside observing while teammates practiced Aug. 24, adding “he’s in a good place, ready to go.”

Stefanski would not say whether McKinley will play Aug. 29 in Atlanta in the final preseason game, but he did say the 2017 first-round draft pick of the Falcons will return to practice soon.

“It was awesome (to get McKinley back),” safety John Johnson III said after practice.

“He came in with me in this whole free agency class, so it was good to have our team back strong. Hopefully, whatever he was dealing with is done, and he can get to work. It’s good to have him out here.”

The Browns were due for good news on the injury front. So far they’ve lost tight end Stephen Carlson to a season-ending knee injury and linebacker Montrel Meander to a torn Achilles tendon. Both are out for the season.

The biggest blow so far came Aug. 22 when kicker Cody Parkey suffered a quadriceps injury. He was placed on injured reserve Aug. 23 and released from IR with an injury settlement a day later.

Backup linebacker Jacob

Phillips suffered a torn biceps tendon practicing against the Giants on Aug. 19. Phillips is currently on the 80-man roster. He is headed for injured reserve, but if he is still on the active roster when it is trimmed to 53 on Sept. 1, the Browns could move him to IR and then activate him if he is cleared to play later in the season.

McKinley, signed to a oneyear contract on the second day of free agency in March, was ill early in training camp and then left the team to take care of his personal issues.

Stefanski is very protective of his players. He never hinted at what was bothering McKinley. Stefanski was asked Aug. 19 if McKinley was being kept apprised of developments during practice via Zoom, as rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was when JOK was sidelined with COVID-19 at the

start of training camp.

“I don’t have an update there,” Stefanski answered. “I’m just going to keep that between Takk and myself.”

Stefanski showed that loyalty again on Aug. 24 while discussing McKinley’s return.

“We support all of our guys in the building and outside of the building,” Stefanski said. “He has our support. He has my support. I think guys are excited to have him back.

“He’s doing well. Working through it. Hopefully, we will see more of him as we go.”

McKinley will be a boost to the defensive end rotation. He was signed before the Browns signed Jadeveon Clowney.

Clowney and Myles Garrett are the starting ends. McKinley is listed behind Garrett on the unofficial depth chart released Aug. 24. Curtis Weaver is next in line

after Garrett and McKinley.

Porter Gustin is Clowney’s backup. Cameron Malveaux and Joe Jackson are behind Gustin.

Davion Davis suspended

Browns wide receiver Davion Davis was suspended for the first two games of the season by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Davis was arrested on a DUI charge in October 2019 while with the Vikings. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of careless driving. The suspension is being enforced now because Davis was out of football in 2020.

Davis can continue to practice and play in the final preseason game. He could be added to the 53-man roster Sept. 20 after his suspension ends or signed to the practice squad.