The Browns offense will get a big boost before their matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, as rookie tackle Dawand Jones is expected to play after missing last week with shoulder and knee injuries. Jones was limited in two practices this week, clearing him to play. It will be a big boost, and veteran Geron Christian is expected to start at left tackle on the other side.
James Hudson started a week ago at left tackle, and Christian started at right tackle. With Dorian Thompson-Robinson making his second career start, Jones’ returns give the Browns some insulation against T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Jones battled Watt admirably in Week 2, but the former Defensive Player of the Year got him more than a few times. It will be an important matchup to see just how much Jones has grown since that time.
Jones, Cleveland’s fourth-round pick out of Ohio State, made his first NFL start against the Steelers in Week 2 as he replaced injured starter Jack Conklin, who is out for the year with a knee injury.
He then made seven consecutive starts until a knee injury forced him to miss last week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Jedrick Wills, the team’s starting left tackle, is also on IR with a knee injury.
Jones should see mostly Watt on that side, but could see fellow rookie Nick Herbig, too. In a game where each offense will look to make plays to get up on the impressive opposing defense, nothing matters more than making sure that the quarterback is clean. If pressured, Thompson-Robinson could be forced into turnovers, and he did throw three turnovers in his first career start against the Ravens. Cleveland will look to make sure that does not happen, as Pittsburgh scored two defensive touchdowns in their 26-22 win at Acrisure Stadium in Week 2.