Bitonio: Eagles took 'cheap shots' at Watson, other Browns at practice

Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio said the Philadelphia Eagles took some "cheap shots" on both sides of the ball during their joint practice Tuesday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

Bitonio specifically mentioned a play in which Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat knocked the ball out of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's hand. Quarterbacks are not to be touched by defenders at practice.

"I mean, it's just in our practice, you protect the quarterback," Bitonio said. "You don't want to come close to the quarterback, you don't want to take cheap shots, things like that where there might've been a couple of questionable plays both ways today."

Watson is entering his second year with the Browns, who acquired him in a trade from the Houston Texans in March 2022. The 27-year-old missed the first 11 games of the 2022 season after being suspended for violating the league's personal conduct policy following numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. Watson completed 58.2% of his passes for 1,102 yards and seven touchdowns against five interceptions in six games last year.

Things also got chippy at practice after Eagles rookie Sydney Brown ran over Browns running back Demetric Felton during a teammate's interception return, according to Cabot. A scuffle reportedly ensued after the play.

However, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett said Wednesday that he doesn't remember the Eagles taking any cheap shots.

"I didn't see cheap shots myself," Garrett said, according to Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports. "Not saying that they didn't happen, I didn't see any. They have a lot of vets that will help them continue to practice the right way and have good habits. We'll do the same."

Philadelphia and Cleveland will play a preseason game Thursday.