Notes: Ethan Pocic returns to practice, 'looks good' after knee injury

The Browns are getting healthier just in time for the start of the season.Center Ethan Pocic (knee) returned to practice Monday as the players returned from a long weekend. He didn't practice last week after being injured Aug. 23 in the preseason finale.Coach Kevin Stefanski was asked if he expects Pocic to be able to play Sunday against the Bengals in the opener at Huntington Bank Field."Yeah, he looks good," Stefanski said. "He's rehabbed very hard, so he looks good."Pocic, 30, has started 44 games in three seasons with the Browns. This is the last year of his contract.Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate also practiced after missing weeks with an undisclosed injury. He had been working on the side."Was out here, did some good work," Stefanski said.With tight end Blake Whiteheart (knee) also back, the only player not participating was defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr.He had offseason knee surgery, spent the preseason on the physically unable to perform list and was activated last week. He's yet to practice."No update. Just continuing to work very hard at rehab," Stefanski said.THE PLACE TO BEStefanski attended the Ohio State-Texas game Saturday in Columbus Owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Andrew Berry were also there."Great experience, good job, Coach (Ryan) Day and that crew," Stefanski said. "That's really the first big-time college football game I've ever been to, with all respect to the Penn Quakers."So it was fun for me to be able to take my boys down there. Had a blast. The Shoe was rocking. It was very cool."Stefanski played safety at Penn.Berry was there to scout the high-level talent on both teams, including Texas quarterback Arch Manning.STILL NOT HERERookie running back Quinshon Judkins, the No. 36 pick, remained unsigned. His legal case getting resolved last month with no formal charges being filed didn't clear the way for a quick return."I don't have an update," Stefanski said.The NFL has yet to conclude its review of the domestic incident in Florida and announce if there will be punishment related to a potential violation of the personal conduct policy.Stefanski was asked if Judkins signed in the next couple of days whether he'd be ready to play Sunday."I can't get into that," he said. "Hard to speculate."QUICK LEARNERRookie receiver Isaiah Bond, who wasn't signed until Aug. 18, will have a role against the Bengals after quickly picking up the system."Caught up mentally, no issues," Stefanski said. "Very intelligent kid. Is working a lot of extra hours and time with Coach (Chad) O'Shea and Coach (Stephen) Bravo-Brown to get caught up. But he's very intelligent so he's up to speed."THE GREAT NORTHThe Browns open inside the AFC North and play all three division rivals within the first six weeks."It's a big challenge," running back Jerome Ford said. "I really take pride in it knowing that I talk to my friends about it all the time, they're Bucs fans, I'm like, we have the hardest division in the NFL I feel like."Steelers are a great team. Ravens, their defense, and the Bengals, of course. I take a lot of pride in going against these guys twice a year and I feel like it prepares us for those other teams."NUMBERS GAMEWith the 53-man roster just about set, a handful of players changed their numbers for the regular season.Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel went from No. 5 to No. 8, which became available when quarterback Kenny Pickett was traded to the Raiders. Gabriel wore No. 8 at Oregon.** Safety Rayshawn Jenkins scooped up No. 5, dumping No. 28.** Bond went from No. 81 to No. 16.** Kicker Andre Szmyt ditched No. 47 for No. 25.** Undrafted rookie defensive tackle Adin Huntington went from No. 66 to No. 98.The post Notes: Ethan Pocic returns to practice, 'looks good' after knee injury first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.