The 1-1 Cleveland Browns host the 0-2 New York Giants at Huntington Bank Field for their third regular season game of the 2024 season. The Browns’ offensive line has struggled, allowing the second most hurries, the most hits, the most pressures, the highest pressure percentage, and the fifth most sacks. The main issue with their offensive line is that their backup left tackle has struggled in relief of their top two tackles (either one would start over James Hudson III), who has missed the start of the season.
Their All-Pro tackle hasn’t played because he is recovering from a significant injury.
The Cleveland Browns All-Pro suffered a significant injury in Week 1 of last season
Jack Conklin suffered a season-ending ACL and MCL injury during last year’s season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Conklin disclosed that not only did he tear his ACL and MCL, but he also tore his PCL and meniscus as well. He didn’t participate in their offseason program, but the Browns activated him off the PUP list a day before the roster cutdown deadline.
Conklin was a limited participant the week of their first game but ultimately did not play. He was a limited participant the week of their second game but was ruled out. He was a full participant on Wednesday and Thursday’s practice. Unfortunately, he suffered another injury.
The Cleveland Browns All-Pro’s debut will have to wait
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Jack Conklin was ready to make his season debut but suffered a hamstring injury. According to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, the Browns have ruled Conklin out. Oyefusi also points out that the Browns did not elevate an offensive tackle from the practice squad, indicating that Jedrick Wills Jr. might play for the first time this season.
Jack Conklin has been downgraded to out because of a hamstring injury. That’s new. But no OL elevation is a good sign for the availability of LT Jedrick Wills Jr. https://t.co/ymuxU6GDEm
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) September 21, 2024
Who will start at RT?
Dawand Jones will once again start at right tackle in the absence of Jack Conklin. Jones has had a solid start to 2024, with two pressures, one hurry, one hit, zero sacks allowed, a 73.0 pass block, a 68.4 run block, and a 63.7 PFF grade. The Browns have a reliable replacement in him, and he might be their starting right tackle of the future.
Who will start at LT?
There is a possibility that Jedrick Wills Jr. will make his season debut in Week 3 and start at left tackle. Wills suffered a season-ending MCL injury in Week 9 that required surgery, and he also missed the entirety of their offseason program. The Browns activated him off the PUP list at the roster cutdown deadline, but he hasn’t played in their first two games. He practiced in a limited fashion this week and is questionable.
If Wills doesn’t play, the Browns will have to count on James Hudson III for the third straight game. Hudson has had a rough start to 2024, with ten pressures, five hurries, five hits, zero sacks allowed, two penalties, a 41.3 pass block, a 60.6 run block, and a 52.9 PFF grade.
