Browns' Kenny Pickett Frustrated by Unexpected Hamstring Injury

Soft tissue injuries are tough, though, so while Pickett is chomping at the bit to get back out there and make his case to start for Cleveland, the Browns' medical staff is being more cautious.

"They tell me no," admitted Pickett, who has shared his eagerness to do more. "I would be out there trying to push through it, more like staying in the pocket and stuff. I try to plead my case, but everyone has a job to do. They’re looking out for me, and I appreciate that. But you’re also fighting the battle to get out there, so it’s tough."

Pickett revealed that he sustained the injury on one of the final plays of last Saturday's practice, which was Day 4 of training camp. That session ended with Pickett tossing a touchdown during some red zone 11-on-11 work, leaving everyone surprised to find out he was injured at all after he had finished the session.

Complicating things further is the fact that Pickett is the only quarterback in the Browns' room who brings a running element to his play style. It's another reason the team is being careful with how they manage the injury. Even as he works his way back, it may be even longer before he flashes his running ability at practice.

"No, I’ll have to manage it whenever I’m back, probably a few weeks after, based on the injury and where I’m at," added Pickett. "But I think it gives me a great opportunity just to work from the pocket, find checkdowns, really improve my game from the pocket. So, I think if I look at it with that lens. It could be a real positive."

It's obvious, Pickett is trying to take the situation in stride, but he knows that in an open competition to be the Browns' starting QB, he'll have some catching up to do as he returns.

“Oh, yeah. Like I said, if you’re not out there, I think it’s a setback. You know, you have to be out there playing and competing to win a job. And I fully understand that. That’s why I’m pushing to get back, you know, as fast as possible.”