Cleveland Browns’ impressive win over the Green Bay Packers may have lost them a starter on offense
The Cleveland Browns beat the Packers but lost a key starter on the offensive line.
The Cleveland Browns knew it would be a tough one against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3, and it was just that. Cleveland showed the NFL world that it has perhaps the best defense in the league in a 13-10 win over the Packers. The Browns’ offense held them back much of the game, but a late breakthrough in all three phases was the difference.
Cleveland’s offense finally came alive in the fourth quarter when Quinshon Judkins ripped off 52 yards on the ground within a pair of runs. The Browns eventually settled for a field goal, but got the ball right back thanks to a Grant Delpit interception. Judkins tied it up at 10 on a 1-yard score with 3:01 remaining in the game. Cleveland would go on to block a field goal attempt by the Packers, and Andre Szmyt nailed a 55-yard game-winner. Cleveland held Green Bay to 230 yards, but going three quarters of the game with little offense hindered the Browns badly.
The Browns lost an offensive starter to injury against Green Bay
Bad news struck the Browns in the first quarter when OT Dawand Jones went down with a knee injury after getting the start at right tackle. After starting the first two games as the left tackle, Jones was moved to right tackle in place of injured Jack Conklin, and the Browns went with Cornelius Lucas as the left tackle.
Following the injury to Jones, the Browns were forced to throw KT Leveston in at right tackle against Micah Parsons and company. Following the game, Kevin Stefanski said that Jones would have an MRI on Monday and go from there.
Cleveland initially listed Jones as questionable to return, and then he was later ruled out in the third quarter. In Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens, Jones had to sub out for multiple plays due to the heat. Going into the season, the Browns hoped that Jones could be their left tackle of the future, but that idea isn’t working out for three games into the 2025 season.
Knee injuries have been an issue for Jones in his first couple of years as a pro at 6-8, 370 pounds, and now it looks like another injury has popped up.
The Browns allowed just two sacks by the Packers, but Joe Flacco faced heavy pressure from the Green Bay front all game. Cleveland’s starting quarterback finished 21-of-36 passing for 142 yards and one interception. Cleveland not only needs to get Conklin back and healthy, but it now has an injury to its other starting tackle. Given the poor performance of the Browns’ offense through two games, losing any personnel up front is only making things worse.
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