Cleveland Browns defensive back Simeon Thomas swipes at the pad in a tackling drill during practice. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

BEREA, Ohio - Josh Gordon spoke on Monday for the first time since returning from his stint in treatment at the University of Florida.

He wouldn't elaborate on why he left the team, but vowed to 'be here playing football.'

Hue Jackson revealed that he won't start Gordon vs. the Steelers even if he's 100% healthy.

He also announced that he won't play his starters in the preseason finale in Detroit on Thursday night to keep them healthy for the opener Sept. 9 at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Jackson said he wasn't thrilled about defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' remarks that Denzel Ward's 'stupid' method of tackling led to his back spasms.

Duke Johnson took the podium and said his absence from the receiving stats this preseason is designed to keep things under wraps for the Steelers.

Players sitting out practice Monday included tight end Seth DeValve, end Myles Garrett (rest), offensive lineman Kevin Bowen, free safety Damarious Randall, fullback Danny Vitale, linebacker Genard Avery and defensive tackle Trevon Coley.

Here are the highlights:

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1. Josh Gordon speaks to the media.

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Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon did not participate in practice but worked on calisthenics. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

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Gordon says he's happy to be back and says 'life is good.'

He vows not to let his off-the-field issues, including a child support battle, derail him.

"I know I'm going to be here playing football, and anything outside of these walls, I have the right people in place to help me in any way in which I need them to help,'' he said.

He believes he can pick up right where he left off with Tyrod Taylor.

"We spent a lot of time after practice and in between practice and workouts talking about what we going to do in the film room and studying,'' he said. "It never really stops with Tyrod. That's just how it is. He's a hard worker. He'es instilling that in all of us, and it' something that we admire and something that is contagious. He's definitely the guy that we look towards to pull us into that direction."

Gordon believes he can top his Pro Bowl season of 2013, when he led the NFL with 1,646 yards.

"There's always better to come,'' he said.

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2. Gordon won't start vs. Steelers.

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon catches a first down pass defended by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns in 2017. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

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Jackson said Gordon, who's limited with a tweaked hamstring and hasn't practiced since the mandatory minicamp in June, won't start him vs. the Steelers. Play him, yes. Start him, no.

"It's tough,'' Jackson said. "As I said before, he's not going to start anyway. That's not going to change. We'll come up with the right package for him to play. I wouldn't expect him to go play the whole game or anything like that, but I expect him to contribute to the football team when we get ready to play Pittsburgh and he is ready to go."

Even if Gordon is completely healed from the hamstring by then, Jackson won't budge.

"I don't care if he's 100 percent. He is not starting against Pittsburgh. I have already said that."

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3. Baker Myfield to start vs. the Lions.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass in practice as the sweat beads off his arm today. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

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Mayfield fans will get a good long look at the No. 1 overall pick in the preseason finale Thursday night in Detroit, where Mayfield will not only start the game but

but possibly play a half. It could be Mayfield's last start for a long time if Taylor plays well and remains healthy.

Jackson has praised Mayfield's preseason, and indicated he'll start the season as Taylor's backup.



In Mayfield's 17 preseason series, including 15 with and against backups, he's produced three touchdowns and two field goals.

He's completed 57.8% of his attempts with two TDs and 1 INT for an 89.4 rating.

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4. Starters will rest vs. the Lions.

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry stretches with the team during practice. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

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Jackson isn't taking any chances of getting his starters hurt in the preseason finale. He'll rest them in Detroit and get them to the Pittsburgh game intact.

"The best team that we're going to have for the 2018 season is going to be the team that we'll trot out against Pittsburgh,'' he said. "I have to keep them healthy and get them ready to go. I've seen enough in practice and in watching a lot of the tape.

"There are some things that we have to improve on and we can do those things in practice.''

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5. Duke Johnson hasn't been showcased yet.

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Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson carries two footballs in a rush drill during practice. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

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Johnson, who led the Browns with 74 receptions and 693 receiving yards last season, doesn't have a reception yet this preseason, and has only eight carries for 43 yards. But he expects that to change.

"It's the preseason,'' said Johnson. "Can't show all of our cards and show all of what we're working on. Preseason for me is just going back out there and getting my feet back under me, seeing how I feel. Just making plays. We work a lot in practice, but we're not going to show everything in preseason. A little something to come."

With the starters done this preseason, Johnson thinks they still have plenty of work to do over the next two weeks.

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6. Jackson wasn't thrilled about 'stupid' tackling remark.

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Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams yells at one of his defensive players during an 11-on-11 scrimmage in training camp. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

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Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward injures his back after tackling Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)

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Jackson understands that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams put Denzel Ward (back spasms) on blast for not protecting his body against Eagles tight ed Zach Ertz, but he didn't love that Williams called out Ward for 'stupid' tackling methods in his podium interview.

"Gregg does not get to do just what he wants to do,'' Jackson said. "We'll work through all of that. Our players, there's a certain way that we do want them to tackle because of size, structure and all of that. We don't want a guy to get hurt or anything like that. I'm sure that Gregg does advise. We don't need to do all of that stuff in the media."

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Keep scrolling to see the rest of today's Browns' practice photos

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns offensive guard Kevin Zeitler stretches with the team during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Christian DiLauro stretches with the team during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett took the day off in practice as he talks with linebacker coach Blake Williams, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson stretches with the team during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey has some fun during the stretching period in practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns linebacker Jamie Collins warms up before the start of practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns offensive guard Austin Corbett warms up before the start of practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns running back Carlos Hyde carries two footballs in a rush drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns offensive guard Spencer Drango warms up before the start of practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Todd Haley watches his quarterback Tyrod Taylor throw a pass in practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor pushes back his receiver corpse in a route drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb carries two footballs in a rush drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter warms up before the start of practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns tight end Orson Charles catches a pass in route drills during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns wide receiver C.J. Board readies to snag a pass in a route drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor () and Baker Mayfield throw passes during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns tight end Darren Fells catches a pass in a route drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor () and Baker Mayfield throw passes during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku catches a pass in a route drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns tight end Orson Charles catches a pass in a route drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway catches a pass in a route drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (R) talks with offensive coordinator Todd Haley during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns defensive back Jabrill Peppers swipes at the pad in a tackling drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Derrick Willies misses a pass in a route drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns wide receiver C.J. Board readies to snag a pass in a route drill as offensive coordinator Todd Haley watches during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon talks with the media after practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns defensive back Christian Boutte swipes at the pad in a tackling drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins wait for their turns catching g passes in a route drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon talks with the media after practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns defensive back Montrel Meander swipes at the pad in a tackling drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry catches a pass in a route drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry turns up field after a reception in a route drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins catches a pass in a route drill during practice, August 27, 2018, in Berea.

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