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The Cleveland Browns could be without both of their top options at left tackle against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football.
Starter Dawand Jones suffered a season-ending ankle injury last week against the New Orleans Saints, when teammate Wyatt Teller fell on his leg. Jones had started eight games for the Browns this season at tackle, but he was placed on the injured reserve list earlier this week.
Jedrick Wills started four games for the Browns at tackle this season. Wills had been the starter for the Browns since 2020, but has been slowed by injuries the last two seasons. He played just eight games in 2023 and five so far this season. He was not dressed last week, when Germaine Ifedi replaced Jones.
Wills will attempt to return on the short week, and will practice on Tuesday in an attempt to play against the Steelers, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday morning.
If Wills is unable to return, Ifedi would be in line to make his first start since 2021. The 30-year-old former first-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks, Ifedi has played both guard and tackle in his NFL career, but hasn’t played much lately. His 43 snaps against the Saints were his most in a game since 2021, and he’s never regularly played left tackle before.
When the Browns placed Jones on injured reserve, they signed Geron Christian to their 53-man roster. Christian, 28, started nine games for the Browns last season, all of them at left tackle. He had been with the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams earlier this season before his release.
Christian and Ifedi would both seem to be options to replace Jones if Wills in unable to return. Whichever Browns player starts at left tackle, they’ll be facing a Steelers backup, as well. Alex Highsmith is expected to miss his second straight game with an ankle sprain and Nick Herbig is expected to start.
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