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Cleveland Browns' 2022 training camp schedule, position battles, key storylines

Cleveland Browns training camp is set to open in Berea on Wednesday.

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns will open their 2022 training camp in Berea on Wednesday.

What follows is everything you need to know about the Browns' training camp as they prepare for their 2022 campaign:

Schedule

  • Wednesday, July 27 - Closed practice
  • Thursday, July 28 - Closed practice
  • Friday, July 29 - Closed practice
  • Saturday, July 30 - 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 31 - No practice
  • Monday, Aug. 1- 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 2 - 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Aug. 3 - 2 p.m.
  • Thursday, Aug. 4 - No practice
  • Friday, Aug. 5 - 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 6 - 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 7 - 2 p.m.
  • Monday, Aug. 8 - No practice
  • Tuesday Aug. 9 - 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Aug. 10 - Closed practice
  • Thursday, Aug. 11 - No practice
  • Friday, Aug. 12 - Preseason Game 1: at Jacksonville, 7 p.m. ET 
  • Saturday, Aug. 13 - No practice
  • Sunday, Aug. 14 - 2 p.m.
  • Monday, Aug. 15 - 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 16 - 2 p.m. 
  • Wednesday, Aug. 17 - No practice
  • Thursday, Aug. 18 - Closed practice
  • Friday, Aug. 19 - Closed practice
  • Saturday, Aug. 20 - No practice
  • Sunday, Aug. 21 - Preseason Game 2: vs. Philadelphia, 1 p.m. ET

Key storylines

Watson Watch

While the Browns have a new start quarterback in Deshaun Watson, they don't know when he'll be making his official debut. As of Wednesday, the 3-time Pro Bowl selection is still awaiting word on his potential suspension from the NFL after several women accused him sexual misconduct during his time with the Houston Texans.

With an announcement on Watson's suspension expected any day, it will be up to Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski to determine how to handle practice reps for his star quarterback, who missed the entirety of the 2021 season. Without Watson in the lineup, veteran backup Jacoby Brissett is expected to serve as the Browns' starting signal-caller.

Stefanski Year 3

Speaking of Stefanski, the 2020 NFL Coach of the Year is entering his third season as the head coach in Cleveland -- marking the first time a Browns head coach has made it to Year 3 since Hue Jackson in 2018. There are certainly higher expectations for Stefanski than there were for Jackson, who was fired following a 2-5-1 start to the 2018 season.

Regardless of who's at quarterback for Cleveland to start the season, the Browns possess a manageable start to the 2022 campaign, with games against the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons. Following last season's disappointing 8-9 record, Stefanski will be tasked with steering the Browns back into postseason play.

New Faces

Other than Watson and Brissett, there are plenty of new faces set to make their Browns training camp debut this summer. That group includes wide receiver Amari Cooper, defensive end Chase Winovich, defensive tackle Taven Bryan and kick returner Jakeem Grant, as well as a seven-man draft class featuring cornerback Martin Emerson Jr., defensive end Alex Wright, wide receiver David Bell and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey.

This past offseason, Cleveland also re-signed a number of key players including tight end David Njoku, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. All things considered, the Browns should still lay claim to one of the most talented rosters in the AFC -- if not the entire NFL.

Position battles

Backup quarterback

With Watson expected to serve some sort of suspension to start the season, the Browns enter training camp with four quarterbacks under contract. Josh Dobbs and Josh Rosen are expected to compete for the right to serve as Brissett's backup for however long Watson is out of the lineup.

Right tackle

With Jack Conklin starting training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list and likely to be sidelined to start the season, the Browns have a void to fill at right tackle. Cleveland would likely prefer that second-year player James Hudson III take the reigns at the position, but possess an insurance policy after re-signing veteran Chris Hubbard.

Center

For the first time since 2016, the Browns will have a starting center other than J.C. Tretter. All indications point to Nick Harris getting the nod, but Cleveland has also acquired veteran Ethan Pocic, who started in 24 games during his two most recent seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.

Defensive tackle

After opting not to re-sign either Malik Jackson or Malik McDowell, Cleveland will have two new starting defensive tackles in 2022. The Browns enter training camp with no shortage of players to choose from, with Bryan, Winfrey, Jordan Elliott, Tommy Togiai and Sheldon Day among the defensive tackles currently under contract.

Cornerback

After trading Troy Hill to the Los Angeles Rams, the Browns have a void at nickelback, which it appears they will fill with 2021 first-round pick Greg Newsome II. That leaves an opening on the outside opposite Denzel Ward -- who will open camp on the PUP -- with Greedy Williams having the inside track on Emerson for the spot.

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