Cleveland Browns: What We've Learned Through Week 2 of Training Camp

The Cleveland Browns have completed two full weeks of training camp. The most recent week's practices were of the lighter variety, with the team getting Saturday off following the previous Friday's Orange & Brown Scrimmage and Wednesday being spent putting together the final preparations to take on Washington in Thursday night's preseason opener.

Still, there is news of note that has come out of Browns camp this week. Here is what we've learned.

1st Unofficial Depth Chart Released

David Richard/Associated Press

The Browns released their first unofficial depth chart of the summer ahead of Thursday night's preseason meeting with Washington. There were a handful of surprises. 

Nothing changed at the quarterback position, with Josh McCown still ahead of backup Johnny Manziel. With Dwayne Bowe currently nursing a hamstring injury, the two No. 1 receivers are listed as Andrew Hawkins and Brian Hartline, with Taylor Gabriel as Hawkins' backup and Travis Benjamin behind Hartline.

Rookie offensive lineman Cam Erving is listed as the No. 2 right guard, while rookie nose tackle Danny Shelton is No.2 at his position behind Phil Taylor. Justin Gilbert is Joe Haden's cornerback backup, while K'Waun Williams is listed behind Tramon Williams.

Most notably, tight end Rob Housler is No. 3 at his position with Gary Barnidge the starter and Jim Dray his backup. Housler hasn't done much work with the first-team offense in training camp thus far, and it may take a stellar preseason showing to rise up the depth chart. If not, he could be considered on the roster bubble.

Also worth noting is that kicker Travis Coons—who handled all of the kicking duties in the Browns' scrimmage last week—is listed ahead of Carey Spear. That, though, is a fluid situation. Expect that to change on a weekly basis until the battle has been won.

Running Back Unrest

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery is not happy about how things have been playing out at the position this summer. Along with numerous injuries—such as to Duke Johnson's hamstring, Terrance West's calf and Shaun Draughn's hand—he's also frustrated that no one healthy has managed to make the starting job their own.

Montgomery, via ESPN's Pat McManamon, said earlier in the week that, "The disappointing thing was that all those guys approaching here and not being in tip-top shape. I think that was a total setback, and now they are climbing back uphill and that's why they're taking a back seat right now." 

Montgomery continued:

"

If you're going to be a running back, your job is to get hit and your job is being able to bounce back from injuries really quickly because it's most like playing a game every week. Each day you've got to be healthy and ready to go and you've got to play injured, you've got to play sore and you've got to play banged up. And if you can't play with those things there, you really can't play.

"

As a response to the spate of recent injuries, the Browns signed a pair of fill-in backs, Jalen Parmele and Timothy Flanders. But those aren't the players Cleveland's coaches are particularly concerning themselves with. Montgomery is talking about the top of the roster:

"

How can you play and not want to be a starter? I mean to me, it just bothers me that guys don't want to be the lead bell-cow guy. I mean...this game gives you so much. I always talk to them about what this game gives you as a young person, but what it does for them in life and to their families. So if you want to be a backup, then be a backup—but I mean you're gonna get replaced. At some point you've got to be a starter if you want to hang around.

"

Joe Thomas, Ironman

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During Monday's practice, starting left tackle Joe Thomas was rolled up on by rookie defensive tackle Danny Shelton. Though it was a scare, it proved not to be a serious injury. Thomas did not participate in practice on Tuesday, but he didn't have a wrap on his knee and had the possibility of playing in Thursday night's game against Washington. He didn't play, but it was a coach's decision and not a result of the incident.

But perhaps the most shocking piece of information to come out of the injury scare, per Cleveland.com, is how many injuries Thomas revealed he has suffered over the last eight years—three torn MCLs and two high ankle sprains. And he played through them all, missing zero games and zero snaps and having Pro Bowl-caliber seasons every year he's been in the league.

On the one hand, it's somewhat comforting to know Thomas can maintain a high level of production when he's dealing with injuries that could mar or even end another player's season. On the other, here's to hoping these injuries don't have a cumulative effect so that the next one sidelines him for longer than normal.

Thomas is the Browns' rock; losing him for any period of time would damage the offense far more than center Alex Mack's leg fracture a year ago.

This Week's Roster Move

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

The Browns made just one roster addition this week, signing linebacker Moise Fokou and releasing wide receiver Rodney Smith on Monday.

This will be Fokou's seventh season in the NFL, having played previously for the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints. He was drafted by the Eagles in the seventh round in 2009.

Fokou has appeared in 73 games in his NFL career, making 35 starts, and he has 195 career tackles, three sacks, six passes defensed and four forced fumbles with three recoveries. He is also a special teams asset and has totaled 40 special teams tackles in his career.

Smith appeared in three games for the Browns last season, with one receiving target and no receptions. He had six catches for 77 yards and one touchdown in the 2014 preseason.

Injury Update

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

According to the Orange and Brown Report, the following players did not participate in the Browns' final training camp practice of the week on Tuesday and thus did not appear in the team's Thursday night preseason game against Washington:

Receiver Dwayne Bowe (hamstring), cornerback Pierre Desir (hamstring), running back Shaun Draughn (hand), running back Duke Johnson (hamstring), running back Luke Lundy (concussion), offensive lineman Joe Madsen (concussion), offensive lineman Darrian Miller (knee), offensive lineman Andrew McDonald (concussion), linebacker Barkevious Mingo (knee), defensive back Robert Nelson (hamstring), receiver Terrelle Pryor (hamstring), defensive back De'Ante Saunders (calf), defensive lineman Billy Winn (knee/ankle), running back Glenn Winston (knee), cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (knee) and tight end Randall Telfer (foot).