last year’s draft to become the team’s lead receiver in the aftermath of Terrelle Pryor fleeing for Washington in free agency.
“Nobody wants to lose a good player in a practice at anytime,” Jackson said. “But I know those things happen, and if I wanted to push him through it, I could, but I think what’s most important is that we get him back. He’s demonstrated the ability that we’re looking for.
“Obviously, he’s got to do it in a game. There’s no games right now, and the most important thing for the whole football team is health, is making sure that we can get everybody back to when it really starts to count ready to play. He’s done a good job. He’s improved. I stand behind my statement that I made earlier that he’s got to be the guy to do it for us. That’s what we drafted him for, and I’m sure he’ll do that.”
Nothing major
Jackson tried his best to assure everyone No. 1 overall draft pick Myles Garrett will be fine despite sitting out Wednesday.
Jackson said Garrett practiced Tuesday, rested as a precaution Wednesday, the only practice open to reporters this week, and will practice Thursday. Garrett didn’t practice last week, and Jackson attributed it to “a little soreness” the defensive end experienced three weeks ago during rookie minicamp. Garrett is dealing with a sore foot, per Cleveland.com.
“It’s nothing major, so I think we’re right where we need to be,” Jackson said. “He’s done a good job. He looked good yesterday. We’ll get him back out there tomorrow. I know you guys want to see him in the worst way. We picked the wrong day to have an off day. That’s why I’ve got to answer all these questions. But, no, he’s doing fine.”
Jackson said Garrett’s injury isn’t related to the high-ankle sprain he played with last season at Texas A&M.
Asked how Garrett looked during Tuesday’s practice, Jackson said, “He looked like Myles Garrett. Big, fast, tough. He’s everything we think he is.”
Working with ones
Jackson continued to give rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer some first-team repetitions, but he downplayed the magnitude of the second-round pick spelling No. 1 QB Cody Kessler.
“I do not think it is significant,” Jackson said. “I am going to put [Kizer] out there from time to time in different situations. I need to find out more about him than maybe everybody else here. He is a young player who is learning how to play in the National Football League, having a ton thrown at him right now.
“I’m sure his head is spinning, but he is growing each and every day, and he just has to keep working at it. He has to put the blinders on and stay in a room, keep watching tape and growing and listening, and that is what he is doing.”
Extra points
• Other players who didn’t practice Wednesday: receiver Kenny Britt, running backs Duke Johnson and Darius Jackson, cornerback Howard Wilson (fractured kneecap), center Austin Reiter (torn ACL last year), defensive tackle Nile Lawrence-Stample, offensive tackle Matt McCants, left tackle Joe Thomas, guards Joel Bitonio and John Greco (Lisfranc injuries last year) and tight end J.P. Holtz. A team spokesman said Britt did some work Tuesday.
• Rookie strong safety Jabrill Peppers returned to practice after sitting out last week. He didn’t participate in team drills.
• Cameron Erving (MCL injury suffered Jan. 1) participated in team drills after being limited last week. He practiced at right tackle while Shon Coleman worked at left tackle in place of Thomas. Shon Coleman is considered the early favorite to win the starting right tackle job.