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The Browns are hoping to get Shawn Lauvao (66) back into the lineup on Thursday.

(Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns conducted a late afternoon practice in preparation for Thursday night's game against the Buffalo Bills. Here are some quick hitters out of the locker room:

Right guard Shawn Lauvao hopes to make his season debut after missing nearly two months with a high ankle sprain. He practiced all of last week and was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Cincinnati but the team did not activate him.

“It just wasn’t where I thought I’d be, but now I feel a lot more confident about it,” Lauvao said. “I was just being safe, I guess.

Asked about his prospects for Thursday, he said: “I hope so. I’m pretty positive about it . . . but at the end of the day, it’s coach’s decision.”

Converted tackle Oniel Cousins has struggled in his place. Lauvao said he and Cousins split the first-team reps Monday.

Injury updates: Two Browns did not practice Monday during the 30-minute portion open to the media -- outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard (sprained left knee) and defensive end Billy Winn (strained quadriceps). Both missed Sunday's game.

Outside linebacker Quentin Groves (ankle) is out of his walking boot, and rode the stationary bike. He’s missed the past two games.

Signs of improvement: Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz enjoyed his strongest game of the season Sunday. He was not about to celebrate, however.

“It was probably the best of the year,” he agreed. “It doesn’t say much considering how I started. You just try to make it a progression every week, try to get better every week. We played (the Bills) last year so it gives you some familiarity with them.”

Schwartz has shown improvement after two poor outings against Miami and Baltimore. He had a similar start to last season, as well.

“Hopefully, next year I will be able to start fast,” he said. “I don’t know what it is.”

Schwartz said playing alongside Cousins has not been an issue. He probably will get some snaps against Buffalo’s edge rusher Mario Williams, who had a 4-1/2-sack game versus Carolina in Week 2.

“You get a guy that big, that fast, that strong he’s going to give you pretty much everything you can handle,” said Schwartz, who faced him a year ago. “You got to be pretty good with what you are doing or otherwise he can expose you.”

Big Day: The Browns aren't the only ones honoring NFL legend Jim Brown on Thursday. A City of Cleveland Proclamation will make Oct. 3 "Jim Brown Day," as declared by Mayor Frank G. Jackson.

Brown will be recognized during a halftime ceremony, honoring his contributions to the Browns and the city on and off the field.

No rest: Eight Browns defenders played all 68 snaps on Sunday, which means little rest in store with Buffalo on Thursday. The eight players were linebackers Craig Robertson, Paul Kruger, D'Qwell Jackson and Barkevious Mingo and defensive backs Joe Haden, Buster Skrine, T.J. Ward and Tashaun Gipson.

In the books: Defensive lineman Armonty Bryant, a seventh-round pick, made his NFL debut against the Bengals. He took five snaps on defense and three on special teams. The rookie was not credited with a tackle.