Sep 22, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Elijah Chatman (94) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Browns rule out starting OTs, TE David Njoku

Three starting offensive linemen are not available for the Cleveland Browns when they visit the Las Vegas Raiders.

Left tackle Jedrick Willis, right tackle Jack Conklin and tight end David Njoku were ruled out by Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on Friday, days after right guard Wyatt Teller was placed on injured reserve with a sprained knee.

Willis has a knee injury and Conklin, a two-time All-Pro, was close to returning from a 2023 knee injury for the first time before a minor hamstring injury prompted the Browns to hold him out.

Njoku is out for the third straight game with an ankle sprain. He hasn’t played since Week 1 and attempted to get back on the practice field Thursday before missing Friday’s session.

Rookie third-round pick Zak Zinter replaced Teller last week in the loss to the New York Giants, when Willis re-injured the same knee that required surgery in December.

Protection is a pressing concern as Cleveland (1-2) rolls the dice with multiple backups at Las Vegas.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson has been sacked a league-worst 16 times in three games with two interceptions and two lost fumbles. Watson has been hit 42 times.

Stefanski said he’s not ready to disclose lineup changes and would take until Sunday to determine the ideal alignment in front of Watson.

Veteran tackle Germain Ifedi was signed to the active roster from the practice squad this week.

–Field Level Media

Aug 5, 2024; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at the Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Browns star DE Myles Garrett (foot) set to go vs. Jaguars

Cleveland Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett returned to practice Friday on a limited basis and is set to go for Sunday’s game against the host Jacksonville Jaguars.

Garrett missed practice Thursday when he appeared on the Cleveland injury report with a foot issue. He said the injury didn’t occur in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys but he was dealing with it throughout the game.

Garrett declined to reveal how the injury initially occurred, and jokingly made a reference to Browns coach Kevin Stefanski.

“I could tell you,” Garrett said. “And get yelled at by Kevin? So, I’m OK.”

Garrett said the injury wouldn’t be an issue against the Jaguars.

“I wouldn’t say it’s something to worry about,” Garrett said. “It’s something for us to manage and I’ll be conscious of and a little cautious.”

Garrett is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 14 sacks and four fumble recoveries last season.

Meanwhile, standout Cleveland offensive tackle Jack Conklin is listed as questionable after practicing on a limited basis in all three practices this week. He hasn’t played since sustaining a serious injury to his right knee in the 2023 season opener.

Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills (knee), who underwent season-ending surgery late in the 2023 campaign, was ruled out. Tight end David Njoku was ruled out early in the week by Stefanski.

For Jacksonville, cornerback Darnell Savage (quadriceps) will sit out. Defensive end Tyler Lacy (toe) and linebacker Caleb Johnson (back) are questionable.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is tackled by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Browns star DE Myles Garrett (foot) misses practice

Cleveland Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett missed Thursday’s practice with a foot injury.

Garrett was added to the team’s injury report on Thursday after not being part of it Wednesday.

Garrett is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 14 sacks and four fumble recoveries last season.

In Week 1, Garrett had a strip-sack during Sunday night’s 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Fellow defensive end Za’Darius Smith (back) also was added to the injury report and missed practice Thursday.

Standout offensive tackle Jack Conklin practiced on a limited basis for the second straight day. He hasn’t played since sustaining a serious injury to his right knee in the 2023 season opener.

Cleveland also placed cornerback Myles Harden (shin) on injured reserve.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Jack Conklin stretches before minicamp on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 in Canton, Ohio, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Browns Hof 3

Report: Browns RT Jack Conklin out vs. Jets

Browns right tackle Jack Conklin is not ready to return for Sunday’s matchup with the New York Jets, NFL Network reported.

Conklin missed last week’s opener and Cleveland again plans to use James Hudson in his place.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said earlier in the week that Conklin was “really close” to being ready to play.

Conklin, 28, was Tennessee’s first-round pick in 2016 and is a two-time All-Pro (2016, 2020) in 79 career starts with the Titans (2016-19) and Browns.

–Field Level Media

Nov 29, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Injured Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire inactive vs. Browns

Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was one of the team’s inactives for Sunday’s AFC divisional playoff game against the visiting Cleveland Browns.

Edwards-Helaire is dealing with ankle and hip injuries and didn’t practice on Thursday and Friday. He missed the final two games of the regular season due to the injuries.

Edwards-Helaire led the Chiefs with 803 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns during the regular season.

Darrel Williams, who started, and Le’Veon Bell will receive the bulk of the workload in Edwards-Helaire’s absence.

Also inactive for the Chiefs due to injuries are receiver Sammy Watkins (calf), linebacker Willie Gay (ankle) and cornerback Rashad Fenton (foot/ankle). The team’s other inactives are offensive tackle Martinas Rankin, defensive tackle Khalen Saunders and defensive end Tim Ward.

The Browns listed four players as questionable for the game on Friday and are all active for Sunday’s game: right tackle Jack Conklin (hamstring/knee), linebacker B.J. Goodson (shoulder) and tight ends David Njoku (hamstring) and Stephen Carlson (groin).

Cleveland’s inactives are receivers Marvin Hall and Alexander Hollins, cornerback Brian Allen, safety Jovante Moffatt, defensive end Joe Jackson, tight end Kyle Markway and offensive tackle Alex Taylor.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns kicker Cody Parkey (2) kicks an extra point during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns place T Conklin, two others on reserve/COVID-19 list

The Cleveland Browns placed offensive tackle Jack Conklin, kicker Cody Parkey and long snapper Charley Hughlett on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday, two days after temporarily closing their facility due to a positive test.

Placement on reserve/COVID-19 is for players who either tested positive for the virus or have been in close contact with someone who has.

Cleveland.com reported Conklin, Hughlett and Parkey were identified as high-risk contacts of an unidentified person who tested positive. If they continue to test negative, they will be able to play Sunday when the Browns (6-3) host the Philadelphia Eagles (3-5-1).

Coach Kevin Stefanski also said Wednesday that standout defensive end Myles Garrett was sick and would miss practice on Wednesday. He has not tested positive for COVID-19 but was staying home.

The Browns announced a positive test and the closure of their facility in Berea, Ohio, on Monday. Later that day, the team placed fullback Andy Janovich on the list. A similar shutdown happened last Friday and guard Chris Hubbard was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

–Field Level Media