Browns quick hits: Defense sees improvements in 'little increments here and there'

BEREA – Rome wasn't built in a day. The Browns defense wasn't fixed in that time, either.

Last Sunday's overtime win over Tampa Bay was a step in the right direction. The Browns kept the Buccaneers to just 17 points, 96 rushing yards and managed to limit them to just 4 of 15 on third-down conversions.

It was certainly progress for the Browns. However, while they feel like they're improving, they're not labeling themselves fixed.

“Yeah, little increments here and there," linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah said of the improvements. "We still have a lot of stuff to work on and lot of mistakes to fix. From this point, yeah, I think we made some little adjustments, and we are getting better as time goes on.”

Part of that growth includes such performances not being a one-week occurrence. The Browns thought they saw the beginning of a turnaround with their back-to-back performances against Baltimore and Cincinnati right before the Week 9 bye week.

Instead, the Browns emerged from that bye with back-to-back dismal efforts in losses to Miami and Buffalo. Still, this past week's performance against Tampa Bay is one they believe can be built upon because of what they were doing that led to the performance.

“Yeah, I think guys were making plays, executing," cornerback Denzel Ward said. "Communication was good. Playing fast out there, physical, and I think everybody's just on the same page. We were able to hold a great offense with Tom Brady and those guys and hopefully we can build off that this week.”

Knee injury sidelines David Njoku for Wednesday's practice

The injury issues that tight end David Njoku has battled over the last month or so continue to plague him. This time, it's a knee injury that kept him out of Wednesday's practice.

Coach Kevin Stefanski wasn't ready to rule Njoku out for Sunday's game at Houston. However, he did acknowledge it was a new injury than what had bothered the sixth-year pro previously.

“No, it is a different injury so we are just going to work through it and be smart,” Stefanski said.

Greg Newsome II back, Myles Garrett among Browns players resting

Njoku was the only Browns player to not be on the field during their workout Wednesday inside their fieldhouse. Cornerback Greg Newsome II, who had been sidelined since the Friday prior to the Buffalo game with a concussion, was back on the field with his teammates.

Receiver Amari Cooper, running back Nick Chubb, left guard Joel Bitonio and defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett all worked off to the side with a trainer. For almost all of those players, Wednesday has been a normal veteran's rest day throughout the season.

Garrett, in particular, is someone the Browns are trying to keep fresh. He has struggled with a left shoulder injury he sustained in a September car accident.

“We will give him some rest today, but he is right where he has been," Stefanski said. "These guys, as you know, just played an overtime game on Sunday so trying to be smart about what we do with the guys and make sure that they are fresh come Sunday.”

Cornerback A.J. Green did participate on a limited basis in practice despite being in the concussion protocol. Ward also was limited due to an ankle injury he sustained against Tampa Bay.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah making plays in backfield

Owusu-Koramoah had a big play on Tampa Bay's first possession of the second quarter. With the Buccaneers facing third-and-1, the Browns linebacker knifed in and dropped Rachaad White for a 1-yard loss to force a punt.

Such plays haven't necessarily been rare for Owusu-Koramoah, who is tied for sixth in non-sack tackles for loss and run stuffs with 14 this season.

"Yeah, our focus is, especially when it comes to short yardages, to get a stop," Owusu-Koramoah said. "(Browns defensive line) coach (Chris Kiffin) has done a great job coaching us on those short downs, and we just want to execute what they put into play."

That was one of 11 third-down stops the Browns made during the overtime win. It was the only one in which Owusu-Koramoah was involved in the tackle.

Still, the second-year pro finished the game with a team-high eight tackles, including six solo stops.

"I’m sure coach has said it before, anytime you have a setback it’s an opportunity for a comeback, so we’ve had those downs," Owusu-Koramoah said. "Before, we haven’t fixed those mistakes, but now as time goes on and as time continues to come to fruition, we’re looking to execute on those things, and that was one example of us executing on those."

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns defense sees improvements in little increments