The Cleveland Browns faced off against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday at Cleveland Browns Stadium for their first preseason game. They played sloppy football, losing 10-23 as a result. The Browns, unfortunately, didn’t finish the game unscathed, as many players suffered an injury, including their backup interior offensive lineman.
The Cleveland Browns’ backup center suffered a significant injury
Luke Wypler injured his right ankle with 12 minutes remaining in the 2nd quarter. The medical staff carted Wypler off the field, and they immediately put an air cast on his right ankle. Kevin Stefanski gave an injury update after the game.
“Okay, injury front, you saw Luke Wypler, that was tough, fractured his ankle there so that’s going to require surgery and I’m disappointed for the kid. The goal, obviously, when you get into these games is to get out of there as healthy as you can and unfortunately suffered that one.”
Stefanski didn’t say whether his injury is season-ending.
“I’m not going to go there. I’ll just say he needs surgery.”
Who filled in for the injured center?
Zack Johnson, a guard, finished the rest of the game at center. Johnson, an undrafted free agent from 2020, enters his fifth year in the league and his sixth team in the NFL. He spent last season in the UFL, playing for the Birmingham Stallions, before signing with the Browns in July.
The Browns don’t have any natural centers outside Ethan Pocic on their roster because their other backup suffered an injury.
The Cleveland Browns parted ways with their injured backup last week
Brian Allen suffered a calf injury on Day 3 of training camp and will likely miss the 2024 season. The Browns placed him on injured reserve and released him last Sunday.
Since the Browns have only one healthy center on their roster, they might have to look for one in free agency.
Notable free agent centers available
The Browns have plenty of cap space with $29 million and can afford to sign a veteran in free agency. Notable players include Mason Cole, Connor McGovern, Tyler Larsen, Scott Quessenberry, Cameron Tom, and Jonotthan Harrison. Who will they sign?
