BEREA, Ohio -- For the second practice in a row, the Cleveland Browns gave a starting cornerback the day off.
For the second practice in a row, the first-team reps went to Pierre Desir ahead of Justin Gilbert.
"The coaches, they put their faith in me to go out there when guys needed their rest," Desir said. "I'm just blessed that they believed in me."
Gilbert did an interview with the media, and said Desir had earned the reps.
The situation bears watching. Gilbert was the eighth overall pick in the 2014 draft, Desir a fourth-round choice from Lindenwood, a Division II school in Missouri. Asked if he still planned to start this season, Gilbert only said: "We'll see what happens."
What does it mean for Desir?
"That means," safety Donte Whitner said, "that he's doing what he's supposed to do."
Desir has stood out as the most prominent early riser in camp.
Not participating: Missing were DB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (knee), RB Duke Johnson (hamstring), RB Luke Lundy (concussion), DB Robert Nelson (hamstring), TE Randall Telfer (foot), RB Terrance West (calf), DL Billy Winn (knee/ankle) and RB Glenn Winston (knee). DL Desmond Bryant, LB Karlos Dansby and DB Joe Haden were given the veteran's day off. TE/FB Malcolm Johnson went in the locker room during practice with a shoulder injury, and Terrelle Pryor left practice early with tightness in his hamstring.
Camp tidbit: The Browns could not have been thrilled that Johnson left practice. He has been effective in the passing game from the H-Back position. Nagging injuries seem to be nagging at the team's overall well-being. … Rookie Vince Mayle dropped a perfectly thrown fade by Johnny Manziel in a red zone drill. Mayle had a couple drops on the day, which is never a good thing.
Celebrity sighting: Actress Valerie Bertinelli took in the Browns practice, one day after Van Halen played at Blossom Music Center. Van Halen's bass player Wolfgang Van Halen is the son of Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen.
From the coach, when asked if not turning turnovers into points was a source of frustration last season: "Losing games was the biggest source of frustration." -- Mike Pettine
Wednesday: The Browns return to the field for a 9:30 a.m. ET practice. Parts of the workout will be streamed live on ClevelandBrowns.com.
