BEREA, Ohio – As the Cleveland Browns prepare to travel to Houston for Saturday’s game against the Texans, there are positive signs that the Browns will get some help on the offensive line.
Center Ethan Posic practiced all week after missing last Sunday’s game against the Bears, and left guard Joel Bitonio, who missed the first quarter last Sunday with a back injury, returned to practice Friday.
Pocic is expected to start as he has not been granted match status. Bitonio was listed as questionable after Friday’s practice.
“That center is a big part of your job,” Kevin Stefanski said after Friday’s practice. “It’s a big deal.”
Stefanski called Bitonio “day-to-day” on Monday, but after Friday’s practice there were expectations that he would be back on the field Sunday against the Texans.
In the locker room Thursday, Bitonio said he’s doing much better and wants to practice Friday..
“We haven’t had any practice yet this week, so we’re still working on it,” Bitonio said Thursday.
“We’ve only run a little bit and we’re progressing really well, so we’ll see how it goes (on Friday). “
But since Sunday and Monday we’ve had a positive response so far and we’re taking it day by day.
“After Friday’s practice, Stefanski said he will see how Bitonio overcomes his back injury on Sunday. “
He will,” Stefanski said. “They have to fly to Houston and we’ll see what happens.”
The news wasn’t good on the defensive side of the ball as four defensive players missed Sunday’s game.
Aside from Bitonio and Pocic, the Browns have none of their defensive players returning as four defensive players did not practice Friday and have been ruled out, including Anthony Walker (knee), safety Juan Thornhill (calf) and linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk. (calf) and defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (torn pectoral muscle).
All four missed last week’s game against the Bears.
.Stefanski said there is “something” in Walker’s knee and, when asked if surgery is needed, said he would wait and see what happens.
Walker and Pocic were not listed as restricted on Wednesday’s injury report, but are practicing.
Bitonio, Thornhill, Okoronkwo, Kunashik and Walker were absent on Thursday, with only Bitonio returning on Friday.
Thornhill, like Okoronkwo, has missed the last two games. This will be Walker’s second game on the road..
According to Aaron Wilson, Texan founder C.J. Stroud (concussion) and defensive end Will Anderson (high ankle) did not practice Friday and likely won’t play alongside Blake Cashman against the Browns.
If Stroud doesn’t play, former Browns quarterback Case Keenum will start.
Stefanski said the Browns are still preparing for Stroud if he becomes available for Sunday’s game.ATI roundup 12/22: Q&A from Browns experts
This version of the ATI Roundup includes all the most recent answers, with the most recent answers first.
Andreas SpadeJack cites the fact that JOK isn’t playing 100% of the snaps as the main reason he’s not at LB level up front and allows the money to continue to be spent on the franchise.
When and why does JOK leave the stage? 1. 6 DB Looks (Dime- 3 Safeties, 3 CBS 1 LB) – Is this his breakout moment? So you think he can have 1LB on the field when he gets the coin?2. Is this a goal line situation?
Three. Do you keep him in the rotation as a defensive lineman to keep him fresh and reduce the risk of injury?Did you ever think that Jake would make or write a movie about this subject?
Jack: I’ll reveal all the quick details on the $6 million LB tomorrow in a VIP article on JOK’s contract extension.He’s not a quarterback like Roquan Smith, Fred Warner, Tremaune Edwards, etc.
He is traditionally more important and MIKE is not the most important linebacker in the room.
The green dots are always worn and the same goes for the brown ones. He won’t take any losses, but he should get a contract that balances his game.
If Myles Garrett was making $50 million per year instead of $25 million under his current contract, that would be a bad deal.
In the NFL, players must go beyond contact to provide value.Unfortunately, the NFL does not provide real-time data on when players enter and leave the field.
This makes for interesting research.The Browns effectively shut down their three-safety approach to the game without Thornhill, Delpit or McLeod.
In the last game, we briefly fell behind by 2 points. I think the only linebacker in this set would be MIKE.
