The outlook for Amari Cooper, when Nick Chubb will be ready, David Njoku expected to face Commanders: Browns Insider

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns five-time Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper has been the subject of trade speculation for the past week, ever since Kansas City’s Rashee Rice was lost to a knee injury, and other teams have developed the need for a premier receiver.

In fact, ESPN’s Adam Schefter speculated that Cooper could be the primary target of the Chiefs to replace Rice. But the Browns have no plans to trade Cooper even as he works through his mini-slump in the first quarter of the season, with 35 yards or less in three of his first four games.

teams that think Besides they can get Cooper for the remainder of his 2024 base salary, which amounts to $941,111, would be mistaken. The Browns restructured Cooper’s contract at the start of training camp, lowering his base salary to $1.121 million and giving him a $18.79 million restructured bonus to be paid out over the course of the season. There’s no way the Browns would trade Cooper and eat the bonus. He also has $5 million in incentives this season.

If a team wanted to acquire Cooper, 30, it would have to account for all or some of the remaining restructuring bonus.

But the Browns are happy with their No. 1 receiver even as he tries to shake off his slow start and returns to his Pro Bowl form. During last Sunday’s 20-16 loss to the Commanders, Cooper let a pass bounce off his chest that was picked off by the Raiders and converted into a touchdown, but also had an 82-yard touchdown catch nullified by a holding call against Nick Harris . It would’ve given him a 117-yard, 1 TD game, and three TD catches on the season, only two shy of his TD total from last season.

The Browns believe that Cooper is capable of his sixth Pro Bowl season this year, and have seen flashes of it this season. Likewise, Cooper knows what he has to do, and has been practicing with renewed intensity over the past two weeks, and honing in on the details of his game.

Browns not pursuing a 30-something receiver

While the Browns will always do their diligence on premier receivers such as Davante Adams, 31, they’re not actively pursuing him or DeAndre Hopkins, 32, whom the 1-3 Titans might decide to trade if their playoff hopes fade.

It’s not that the Browns won’t explore every opportunity to improve between now and the trade deadline, but another high-priced No. 1 receiver in their 30s isn’t in the cards right now. Of course, injuries can change the outlook, but barring some unforeseen circumstances, they probably won’t be joining the Adams sweepstakes in the wake of his trade request.

Nick Chubb looked great and will be ready soon

Chubb looked great in practice this week, and will be activated for one of the next three games. The Browns have 21 days in which to add him to the 53-man roster, with the deadline being Oct. 23. If they use all 21 days, he could be eligible to play Oct. 27 at home against the Ravens.

But they’re largely leaving it up to Chubb, who knows best when he can help the team. He’ll need to get back in football shape to the extent he can, and get accustomed to the pads. But if he wants to play next week in Philadelphia or the following week at home against the Bengals, the Browns will activate him.

Running backs coach Duce Staley noted Friday that “the excitement started way before he got on the field. From the players in the building, staff in the building…they were all excited. You felt the energy from everyone. And getting out on the field, I remember telling him, ‘Hey man, your first day back. Just get out there, run around, have fun and don’t worry about anything else.’”

Chubb was so pumped, Staley had to dial him back some.

“You’ve got to save Nick from Nick,” he said. “He wants to go out there, he wants to be on the scout team, he wants to run around on special teams, he wants to come over there and do drills. So, you got to slow Nick down and all the players and coaches see that, and we feed off of that.”

By the same token, Chubb doesn’t want Staley to go easy on him. Staley rode him just as hard as the other backs in the drills that were open to the media.

“He doesn’t want you to come out there and give him anything special or lighten up on him, and I’m not,” he said. “So I’m going to push him. If you tell me that there’s a guy out there that can practice, no matter who it is, he’s going to get the same treatment.”

Staley was also excited to see running back Nyheim Hines (ACL) back on the field this week, with the same 21-day window open.

“We know what type of plays this kid has made in this league,” Staley said. “He’s been special in his league. So to get both of those guys back is really good.”

David Njoku expected to play

Tight end David Njoku (sprained ankle) is expected to face the Commanders despite the fact he’s listed as questionable. He looked good in practice this week and felt good afterwards, and it’s all systems go for him after a three-game absence. The Browns are confident that his return will have a huge impact on the new offense and on Watson’s performance. In addition to everything else else, Njoku led all NFL tight ends with 608 yards after the catch last season,

The chances of Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin playing

Wills (knee) is expected to start is second game of the season, and Conklin is poised to make his first appearance since tearing multiple knee ligaments the opening day victory over the Bengals last season.

Stefanski acknowledged that Conklin might see back in his starting spot at right tackle, where Dawand Jones has started the first four games of the season. Jones, coming off MCL surgery and a shoulder injury, struggled in the first quarter of the season, including during the first half of last week’s 20-16 loss to the Raiders.

“Yeah, potentially (Conklin could start at right tackle),” Stefanski said. “It’s making sure that he’s ready to go physically. I’ve gotten to see him work out. I’ve gotten to see him try like crazy to get back in practice. So, he’s certainly a guy that when he’s ready, we’ll use him.”

If Conklin isn’t ready for a full game, he could always platoon someone with Jones. As for Wills, he’s expected to be back at left tackle, especially with his replacement James Hudson III ruled out with his shoulder injury.

Isaiah McGuire a bigger part of the end rotation

Browns defensive end Isaiah McGuire, their 2023 fourth round pick out of Missouri, is slated for more reps in the rotation with Alex Wright out for the season with his torn triceps.

McGuire forced the fumble last week that Rodney McLeod returned for a 25-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

“A lot of people don’t know; Isaiah is a heck of a pass rusher,” said defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire said. “He’s slippery, he does his thing. He hasn’t had as many opportunities this year to do that. We’ve got some older guys in there, Za’Darius (Smith), Ogbo (Okoronkwo), Myles (Garrett). I’m starting to get him in the lineup a little bit more. He had a great play for us the other day on that short yardage play where he caused the fumble. Just doing his job. So, with Isaiah, he’s continually growing. He’s continually developing, always staying after practice, getting a little extra work, coming to me, asking for film, such as so he knows exactly what he needs to do in the game. So, I’m really excited about his development and what he can do for us in the near future.”

Garrett took both Wright and McGuire under his wing in preseason, and both took a big step up.

“McGuire’s) a sponge as far as knowledge,” Garrett said. “He doesn’t say much. He doesn’t have the most energy, which another thing we’ve got to work on. When he rushes I can see shades and things that we’ve spoken about. It’s him taking little details and working him to his game. It’s exciting to see him really start to catch onto these things and just want to see more of those. There’s a lot of flashes right now, but I think once he gets his moment in the sun like he will with Alex being down, with him being on those rush packages, him being on third down, he’ll really be able to shine. ”

On Mike Hall Jr. coming back this week

Cesaire is eager to welcome second-round defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. out of Ohio State back to the fold after his five-game suspension under the Personal Conduct Policy, including the first four games on the Commissioner’s Exempt list.

“Mike has done a great job,” Cesaire said Friday. “I haven’t gotten a lot of time as far as being able to coach him because obviously he’s had to deal with what he has to do. But before hand, we got really close. That’s another guy that’s extremely hungry and that works extremely hard and works at his craft. So, I can’t wait until that day comes when he can get back on the field with us and start working because I know he is extremely hungry and ready to go.”

Wright finished

Wright was fined $7,743 for hitting Gardner Minshew in the head in the third quarter with the score tied at 10. He was flagged 15 yards for roughing, which moved the Raiders to the Browns’ 15. They kicked a field goal five plays later for their first lead of the game en route to their 20-16 victory.

Wright was placed on injured reserve Saturday, and is out for the season after undergoing surgery this week. In four games this season, Wright recorded eight tackles and one sack, which resulted in a safety.

Roster moves

The Browns activated guard Michael Dunn from the reserve/non-football illness list. They also elevated cornerback Tony Brown II and tight end Geoff Swaim from the practice squad.

Dunn (6-5, 315) is in his fifth NFL season out of Maryland. Originally signed by the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Dunn has appeared in 40 career games with six starts, all since joining the Browns in 2020. Dunn was placed on reserve/non-football illness on Aug. 27 and was designated for return to practice on Oct. 2. He will wear No. 68.