PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Cleveland Browns in Week 11, and while Deshaun Watson’s season-ending surgery remains the hottest topic of conversation, Cleveland is dealing with other injuries to monitor.
Heading into Week 10, the Browns were down both of their starting offensive tackles as both were on Injured Reserve. At right tackle, they’ve been starting rookie Dawand Jones, who took over just in time to face the Steelers in Week 2.
Now, Jones is in question. After missing Week 10 with a knee injury, Jones remains sidelined as the Browns begin their practice week. Cleveland was also without guard Wyatt Teller, who is dealing with an ankle injury.
If Teller or Jones cannot go, the Browns will likely start James Hudson at left tackle, Geron Christian at right tackle and Michael Dunn at guard. Dunn just opened his 21-day return window from Injured Reserve.
The Steelers’ pass rush won them the game in Week 2, with T.J. Watt scooping up an Alex Highsmith forced fumble and returning it for a game-winning touchdown. Now, they could be on the lookout for three backups on the offensive line, including Hudson and Christian, who allowed a combined eight pressures and a sack in Week 10 against the Ravens.
Cleveland will host two more practices before making a final call on their injuries, but if Teller or Jones shows no improvement, they could be looking at an almost entirely new offensive line to support their rookie quarterback.
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