Browns expect Dawand Jones to play against Steelers
The Cleveland Browns are 6-3 and in the middle of the NFL's playoff race, so the team is obviously doing everything it can to maintain its position after Deshaun Watson's season-ending shoulder injury.That task became a little easier after Saturday night's news stating rookie offensive lineman, Dawan Jones, is expected to return after sitting out […]
The Cleveland Browns are 6-3 and in the middle of the NFL's playoff race, so the team is obviously doing everything it can to maintain its position after Deshaun Watson's season-ending shoulder injury.
That task became a little easier after Saturday night's news stating rookie offensive lineman, Dawan Jones, is expected to return after sitting out Week 10 with a knee injury. Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz was the first on the story.
This is obviously huge (no pun intended) for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the Browns, as a whole. The Steelers have arguably the league's best pass-rushing duo in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, so it's key the Browns have as many capable pass blockers as possible. The Browns will likely lean on the run in a big way, but still, DTR needs as much help as he can get when he drops back against this pass rush.
Jones has played well during his short time as a Brown. Per Pro Football Focus, the 6-foot-8, 375-pounder has allowed two sacks over the course of 538 blocking snaps and 15 pressures, in all. He hasn't been as effective in the run game, but the play has been serviceable.
Jones has been a nice development after the Browns lost former starting right tackle, Jack Conklin, for the year. The former first-rounder tore his ACL in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals, which immediately led to Jones starting in Week 2 and so on.
It'll be interesting to see what happens when Conklin returns, because the Browns are in a bit of a jam when it comes to his contract. The team loses more than $14 million if he's released after the 2023 season and it just breaks even if he's designated as a post-June 1 cut.
With Conklin's injury history, it's doubtful a team trades for him, unless the Browns eat a big chunk of his salary. So, they're pretty much stuck with him for another year, at least.
But, competition is always good and, the Browns will have good depth no matter what happens. That in itself is a big win.
But for now, the focus is on the Steelers and Jones can certainly help pave the way for a key victory.
