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Myles Garrett's hamstring, Amari Cooper's continued absence mark end of Browns minicamp
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- Myles Garrett's hamstring, Amari Cooper's continued absence mark end of Browns minicamp
BEREA — The offseason program wrapped up for the Browns around 12:20 p.m. Thursday with the conclusion of minicamp . They won't be together again as a team until they reconvene in late July for the start of training camp, which will begin at The Greenbrier in West Virginia.
It wasn't, however, a completely uneventful final day of minicamp for the Browns. The only question about any of the day's events will be if there's any kind of lingering effect from them.
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The one that generated the most attention in the moment occurred relatively early in the roughly hourlong practice. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett was running a defensive line drill when he came up holding his left hamstring.
Garrett immediately went over to see head athletic trainer Joe Sheehan and assistant trainer Gordon Williams. He did not participate the remainder of practice, but did do some upper-body resistance band work by himself for a few minutes before going and talking with co-owner Dee Haslam.
Coach Kevin Stefanski showed no concern at all when asked about the issue for his star defensive end.
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"He will be fine," Stefanski said.
Garrett rode off the field after practice in the passenger seat of a John Deere Gator utility vehicle along with a random Browns employee. He got out while Stefanski was addressing the media and joked with a couple of teammates who were in the process of doing a hamstring strength test, which he didn't do before walking into the locker room.
Garrett will remain in Northeast Ohio for at least one more day. His youth camp is being held at Lutheran West High School on Friday.
Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward watches final minicamp practice
While Garrett sat out most of the practice with an injury, there was a new addition to the group of players who were not practicing but on the field. Three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward watched while wearing his walk-through jersey and sweats.
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward makes a catch on the sideline during minicamp June 13 in Berea.
Cornerbacks coach Brandon Lynch said Thursday "Denzel is great" when asked about Ward's health. However, he also spun the situation as an opportunity for younger cornerbacks such as seventh-round pick Myles Harden and second-year pro Kalhef Hailassie, as well as veteran free-agent signee Justin Hardee.
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"You know what? Great opportunity to give some of our younger guys some more reps," Lynch said. "Guys got to go ahead and get out there so we can get some more film on display for them."
Wide receiver Amari Cooper doesn't show up for final day of minicamp
Whatever the reason Ward didn't practice Thursday, he continued his offseason-long trend of being at the facility. Wide receiver Amari Cooper, meanwhile, continued his offseason-long trend of not being present.
Cooper did not show up for any of the three days of the mandatory minicamp. The reason for his absence, which was unexcused, is believed to be due to his desire to get a new contract as he's entering the final year of his current deal.
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The daily maximum fine has steadily gone up from $16,953 for missing Tuesday to $33,908 for Wednesday, to $50,855 for missing the final day. Stefanski wouldn't speculate if there was a resolution forthcoming soon, or if a training camp holdout — which would draw even heftier daily fines — is waiting.
"Yeah, I'm a day-to-day guy," Stefanski said. "I'm really focused on today, but I'm sure we'll have maybe an update when we get back. We'll talk about it, but I have no news on that."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Myles Garrett's hamstring, Amari Cooper's absence ends Browns minicamp
