The Cleveland Browns might have an offensive tackle problem in Week 10.
Cleveland will already be without starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. for at least four weeks with an MCL sprain, but now the team could also be without starting right tackle Dawand Jones, who sat out a second consecutive practice with a knee and shoulder injury.
This could force the Browns to line up two new starters at critical positions on the offensive line. James Hudson III is already poised to take over for Wills after he stepped in for Wills in Week 9, but he could also swing over to the right side if Jones is unable to suit up in Week 10. And Jones doesn’t play, Cleveland’s only other two healthy tackles on the active roster are Geron Christian and Leroy Watson IV – two practice squad call-ups. Alex Leatherwood and Justin Murray are also available off the practice squad if needed.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski even added that left guard Joel Bitonio could switch to left tackle if needed – Bitonio played 123 snaps at left tackle in 2021 when Wills had COVID-19. If Bitonio switches position, that would likely move rookie Luke Wypler over to left guard.
“We’re working through all of our options,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Thursday. “James [Hudson III] certainly has played on both sides, so we’ll work through those.”
Neither Christian nor Watson IV have much experience starting in the NFL Christian has played 44 offensive snaps over the past two seasons and started 16 games from 2018-2022, but Watson was an undrafted free agent in 2022 who’s only spent time on the Atlanta Falcons’ and San Francisco 49ers’ practice squads.
Neither instills much confidence in the face of a Ravens defense that ranks first in sacks and sits just behind the Browns in defensive DVOA.
