The Cleveland Browns provided updated injury statuses on OT Dawand Jones, CB Greg Newsome II, RB Pierre Strong Jr. and wide receivers David Bell and Marquise Goodwin as the team prepares for the Baltimore Ravens.
The Cleveland Browns will be facing the Baltimore Ravens without their top three tackles. Rookie Dawand Jones did not practice on Friday as he deals with knee and shoulder injuries and the team has ruled him out for the game. That will put stress on an offensive line that has been juggling personnel for much of the season against one of the top defenses in the league. Wide receivers David Bell (knee) and Marquise Goodwin (concussion protocol) were also ruled out for the game while corner Greg Newsome III and running back Pierre Strong Jr. have been listed as questionable.
The Browns are likely to replace Jones with James Hudson III. The team’s swing tackle has functioned on both sides this season, even taking snaps at each against the Arizona Cardinals. Hudson playing right tackle is to accommodate the team’s new left tackle, Geron Christian. Christian was signed to the practice squad a little over a week ago and has since been promoted to the active roster with the knee injury that has landed him on injured reserve where he is projected to be out around six weeks.
Christian protected Lamar Jackson’s blindside at Louisville where both attended college. He was then drafted by the now Washington Commanders in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. His first two years, he was coached by Bill Callahan, who then left for his current position with the Browns. Christian has experience, playing 49 games, starting 16. The hope is that familiarity will allow him to acclimate quickly, especially in pass protection.
The Browns do have Leroy Watson on the active roster, though he’s viewed as more of a project. The team may activate Alex Leatherwood from the practice squad to provide more depth. Joel Bitonio could also be pressed into duty at left tackle if they suffer another injury in this game. That scenario could see Ethan Pocic move to left guard and Nick Harris go to center. This is an undesirable scenario as it moves two players from their best spots on the line on the fly.
Without Bell and Goodwin, the Browns will likely lean into rookie Cedric Tillman as well as a combination of extra tight ends. The Browns could call up either Austin Watkins Jr. or Jaeelon Darden for additional depth at that position. Those two injuries combined with the trade that sent Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Detroit Lions have created a small roster crunch. Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore carry that position, but the Browns need to find additional receiving threats that can contribute now with the return of Deshaun Watson at quarterback.
The Browns had to put rookie corner Cam Mitchell on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, so the status of Greg Newsome becomes important. If he can go, the Browns are back at full strength in the secondary. If not, they can either go with Mike Ford Jr. or A.J. Green III.
Pierre Strong Jr. has been a contributor on special teams, but has gotten more opportunities in the backfield. He did not see much time on the field for the offense against the Arizona Cardinals. This injury might help explain that. Particularly with issues at offensive tackle, the Browns need all hands on deck in the backfield both to help in pass protection as well as providing an additional receiving outlet.
The Baltimore Ravens beat the Cleveland Browns in Week Four, 28-3. However, Cleveland starting quarterback Deshaun Watson tried to warm up for the game but couldn’t play with an injured throwing shoulder. Rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was pressed into first career start against a tough Ravens defense. Baltimore’s defense had their way, intercepting Thompson-Robinson three times and sacking him four times.
The Ravens have been playing like one of the best teams in the AFC, blowing out several opponents on their way to a 7-2 record. The Browns come into this game in Baltimore at 5-3, with Watson back under center and the top-ranked defense in DVOA and EPA per play, holding opponents to a 33% success rate.
The Ravens’ defense has also proven to be one of the best units in the league, just behind the Browns at second in defensive DVOA and second in defensive EPA per play.
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