Both Jack Conklin and Joel Bitonio continue to be away from practice for the Browns.
A big part of the success of the Cleveland Browns in 2020 has been the team’s offensive front. Now they can only hope to have them healthy and ready by the time they need them for any potential postseason success as well.
The Browns not only boasted the top-ranked offensive line according to Pro Football Focus this year, but they also had three different linemen given All-Pro honors by the Associated Press. Unfortunately for Cleveland, two of those very linemen are missing practice this week for various reasons.
The biggest concern is right tackle Jack Conklin, who was the team’s biggest offseason import as a free agent acquisition from the Tennessee Titans. Conklin signed a $42 million deal for 3 seasons in free agency and has been a stellar addition on the right side. Unfortunately he suffered a hamstring injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week in the Wild Card round that has kept him out of practice on both Wednesday and Thursday in Cleveland.
As for the other missing lineman, guard Joel Bitonio has also missed time recently as part of the team’s major COVID issues. Bitonio missed the Steelers’ game in its entirety (as did a number of other players and coaches) but several of those who were out last Sunday have made their way back in practice—including cornerback Denzel Ward and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge.
At this point, head coach Kevin Stefanski noted in Thursday’s media session with reporters that Conklin in “making progress.” In addition, Bitonio is expected to be available to play on Sunday. That said, neither player will have had a typical week of preparation and it’s also true that nothing is certain just yet. The Browns can only hope that Conklin’s progress continues and that Bitonio is back on Friday or else they could be in for a frustrating Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead.