Position battles: With middle linebacker D’Qwell Jackson sidelined with an undisclosed injury, Benjamin Jacobs filled his spot for the first-team defense.
Who stood out: Safety Ray Ventrone picked off two passes (one after fullback Brad Smelley slipped and another off an overthrow from quarterback Thaddeus Lewis) late in practice during 11-on-11s with unscripted plays. ... Wide receiver Rod Windsor and Colt McCoy connected on four passes, one of which went for a touchdown in seven-on-sevens. Windsor caught two more balls Wednesday night.
Highs and lows: Adding to Ventrone’s two interceptions were Dimitri Patterson, Buster Skrine and Antwuan Reed, who all added a pick of their own in the last segment of practice. Brandon Weeden was first intercepted by Skrine on a 10-yard out route and later by Patterson. ... Defensive back Reed broke up three passes and then intercepted McCoy after he took the ball out of Windsor’s hands. ... Wide receiver Josh Gordon had two drops — one of which would have been a touchdown in seven-on-sevens from Weeden. He also was unable to come down with a third pass in the back of the end zone from McCoy. ... Evan Moore made the play of the night in bringing down a pass from McCoy with a one-handed catch in the back of the end zone with a defender draped over him.
Sidelined: Jackson (undisclosed), running back Trent Richardson (left knee), strong safety Usama Young (undisclosed), fullback Eddie Williams (undisclosed), linebacker Chris Gocong (torn right Achilles’ tendon), defensive end Marcus Benard (undisclosed), tight end Benjamin Watson (undisclosed), defensive end Frostee Rucker (undisclosed) and defensive tackle Phil Taylor (torn left pectoral muscle).
Today’s schedule: The Browns are off today. They’ll play the Detroit Lions in the preseason opener for both teams at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Ford Field.
— Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich
