The Cleveland Browns spent the early part of this week deciding which players to retain on this year’s initial 53-man roster. Then, the coaching staff and front office made decisions regarding the practice squad roster. Now, it is time to spend time getting this new offense down and figuring out the wrinkles that need to be fixed, with the players getting a few days off.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall had spent part of training camp with an injury. A couple of fans and media outlets had wondered if he
would be released or traded this year due to various injuries and lackluster production so far in his NFL career.
Hall missed 10 practices with what the front office described as “an undisclosed injury.” And while we don’t know what the injury is exactly, we do know how he became injured and what caused it.
In a practice session in shorts and lids on August 1, Hall was slotted at right defensive tackle. The snap to QB Deshaun Watson came as usual in the shotgun formation, and Hall was rushing and became engaged with LG Zion Johnson. All of a sudden, Hall stopped his progress, lowered his head, and bent over. Next, RB Quinshon Judkins came from the backfield and leveled Hall, who wasn’t even looking anymore.
Judkins pushed Hall with both hands as the DT crashed to the turf. Then Judkins flared out to the left flats as an exit route option.
What appeared to have occurred initially was that Johnson’s left hand must have struck Hall in the neck/throat area when he was reaching out to slow down his defender. That is when Hall started to buckle and lower his head but remained upright. As Judkins was coming out of the backfield, all he saw was a free man rushing into his gap, and he did what running backs do: block.
Hall was down for the count.
He left the field for a bit, came back for a few plays, and then was back in team drills later in the non-padded practice. Next, he missed 10 practices.
Rumors have spread that Hall and Judkins were involved in some kind of altercation in the locker room after that practice. That has not been substantiated, of course; that could be just others spreading the rumor.
Hall did finally come out with a statement after the September 2 practice. He stated regarding the dust-up with his former Ohio State teammate:
“Yeah, I mean, we’re teammates at the end of the day, so, I mean, it’s just a little, you know, mishap on the field.”
Then another reporter asked about the locker room scenario:
“Like I said before, he’s my teammate, so I mean, got to talk to him at some time. But we’re getting ready for Jacksonville, and that’s all I’m worried about.”
Apparently, if there is any ill will, Hall seems to be over it. And hopefully, someone has tutored Judkins to save those crushing blocks for Cleveland’s opponents.
A player like Hall is expected to play a significant role in the middle of the defensive line this season for the Browns. Given the team’s lack of depth off the edge, Hall may also see some time there as well.
