BEREA — The Browns completed their first practice in pads Monday morning. There were a couple of minor shoving matches, some intense run drills and no serious injuries. In other words, a good first day in pads.

“It’s always a little bit sloppier,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “But we seemed to pull through it physically OK.”

Notes and observations from the two-hour practice:

** Running back Montario Hardesty didn’t participate in team drills as the Browns ease him back following ACL surgery that cost him all of last season. Shurmur said there was no setback and Hardesty looked good in the drills he did.

** Left guard Eric Steinbach said he aggravated his knee in workouts leading up to training camp, but tests revealed nothing serious. He’s eager to return and said it’s a matter of “days not weeks.”

** Receiver Joshua Cribbs said he had an MRI on his left knee and it’s fine. He hopes to be back by the end of the week.

** Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (leg), tight end Benjamin Watson (concussion), defensive tackle Travis Ivey (undisclosed) and linebacker Sidney Tarver (undisclosed) sat out.

** The signing of free-agent defensive end Jayme Mitchell and the trade for Rams offensive lineman John Greco were formally announced. Neither can practice until Thursday.

** Rookie defensive tackle Phil Taylor, the No. 21 overall pick in the draft, missed his third practice in a contract holdout. There could be resolution today.

** Safety T.J. Ward intercepted Seneca Wallace on a short pass over the middle. Cornerback Joe Haden would’ve had the pick if Ward hadn’t cut in front of him. Ward almost had a second interception on a deep cross from Wallace, but receiver Demetrius Williams broke it up.

** Williams made a number of catches, including a deep touchdown from Colt McCoy and a nice stretching one over the middle from Wallace.

CHECK BACK FOR MORE BROWNS COVERAGE AND FOLLOW SCOTT PETRAK ON TWITTER.