BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns return to practice on Tuesday after taking four days off for their bye, knowing they might have to depend on offense to carry the day until they get their defensive woes straightened out.

Andrew Hawkins has been steadiest among the Browns receivers. Quarterback Brian Hoyer will continue looking his way at least until Josh Gordon returns to the field from his 10-game suspension on Nov. 23 in Atlanta. Hawkins leads the Browns with 21 catches. Miles Austin is second with 14 receptions.

“Josh is an incredible receiver, one of the best receivers in this league,” Hawkins said. “If I had my choice, he’d be with me right now because he’s that much of a difference maker. Honestly, I can’t wait to have Josh back. That’s all I know.”

Hawkins caught 12 passes while playing in only eight games with the Cincinnati Bengals last season. He missed half the season with an ankle injury.

Hawkins was in the slot most of the time in Cincinnati last year, and that is where the Browns projected him playing with Gordon and Austin as the starters. Gordon’s suspension forced offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to alter his game plans by making Hawkins a starter split to the outside. Hawkins will continue in that role in practice on Tuesday when the Browns start focusing in on the Tennessee Titans for their game Oct. 5 in Nashville.

“I’ve got to give kudos to the coaches,” Hawkins said after practice on Sept. 25 just before heading to the airport for a flight to Florida during the bye weekend. “I thank God for being in this position. It’s early still. We still have a lot of work to do, but I’m very blessed. Being in this position, being here in Cleveland, playing with Brian – I think it’s everything coming together at the right time.”

Bye weeks always play havoc with statistics, especially early byes. Before the Browns and five other teams had Week 4 off – in other words after all 32 teams had played three games – Hawkins’ 21 catches were eighth-best in the league. He has run 110 yards after the catch, which ranked 15th in the league.

“When he first was signed I didn’t really realize he’d have so much outside potential,” wide receivers coach Mike McDaniel said. “He proved in the spring and the summer (he could play split wide).

“His ability to beat man-to-man coverage, that’s all it takes to play on the outside. You have to beat (the cornerback) on routes that are deeper than five-to-10-yard routes. He has the speed to do that. I wouldn’t say it’s surprised me. He’s lived up to my expectations since he’s been in-house.”

Hawkins has been targeted 32 times, and according to Sportingcharts.com he has zero drops.