BEREA, Ohio -- Josh Cribbs likes watching new Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shurmur's aggressive offense.
Of course, the wide receiver wishes he was taking part in it instead of watching it from the sidelines.
Cribbs sat out Monday with a hamstring injury sustained late in practice on Sunday. Earlier in camp, he missed a few days with a leg strain.
"I'm feeling pretty good and I'll be out on the field whenever they say I can do it," Cribbs said. "All injuries are frustrating, but the most important thing for me is to be ready for the season."
The star kick returner has been used more at wide receiver during camp and wants to be part of a West Coast offense that Shurmur intends to use to increase scoring. Cleveland was last in the NFL with 271 points a year ago.
"Coach is going to give us chances," Cribbs said. "He's opening up the playbook. I like that."
Cribbs said second-year quarterback Colt McCoy is running the offense well. McCoy threw three touchdown passes to give Cleveland an early lead Friday night in a game the Browns eventually lost to the Detroit Lions 30-28.
"Colt surprises me every day," Cribbs said. "He's smart and getting the playbook down pat."
Injuries preventing others from learning the system make it more of a challenge for the second-year quarterback. Tight end Evan Moore, who had two touchdown catches against Detroit, also sat out Monday with a concussion sustained late in the game against the Lions. Tackle Eric Steinbach and running back Brandon Jackson were not even on the field. Steinbach has been out with back tightness and Jackson is rehabbing a toe injury.
The defensive backfield is nicked up, too. Brett Johnson, claimed on waivers from Seattle one week ago, went out early in practice with a bruised thigh. Usama Young, T.J. Ward and Buster Skrine were among a group of players on exercise bicycles Monday rather than in helmet and pads.
Shurmur said veteran Mike Adams and rookie James Dockery will get opportunities Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Browns' third exhibition game.
"We're going to rely on Adams either as a starter or backup this season," Shurmur said. "With the injuries at safety, he has benefited. Dockery will get a lot of reps.
"Philly is very explosive (on offense) and it will be a challenge for our defense."
Shurmur said he is less interested in rushing players back to play against the Eagles than having a full, healthy squad for the season opener Sept. 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Running back Montario Hardesty is expected to face the Eagles in his first game since tearing a knee ligament in the final preseason game of 2010.
Notes: Wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi said he expects to start running this week. He spent the first three weeks of camp with his left foot in a walking boot due to a bone injury. ... Nearly 200 youngsters from local nonprofit youth organizations were invited to watch practice from a reserved seating area. They got autographs and Cribbs made it a point to revisit them later. ... General manager Tom Heckert, Shurmur, four assistant coaches and several other members of the front office formerly were with the Eagles. Linebacker Chris Gocong and defensive back Sheldon Brown lead a contingent of ex-Eagles on the Cleveland squad.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
