No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett returned to the practice field Thursday for the first time since suffering a high-ankle sprain on Sept. 6.
Coach Hue Jackson foreshadowed Garrett's potential return to practice earlier this week.
"He's close," Jackson said Wednesday, via Scott Petrak. "I think there's a chance he'll practice this week before the week's out, so we'll see where we are after that."
Garrett told reporters that he expects the Browns training staff and Jackson to decide Friday on his availability for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Whether Garrett makes his NFL debut this Sunday remains to be seen. If he does play, it will likely be on a snap count.
Jackson told reporters Garrett looked like himself at practice Thursday.
"Good to have him out there," he said, per The Plain Dealer. "Want to talk to medical staff, want to be cautious but smart."
Sitting at 0-3, the Browns' defense needs an athletic edge rusher of Garrett's talents to help disrupt the passer. Cleveland has compiled just six sacks through three games, with Christian Kirksey leading the team with 1.5.
