The Cleveland Browns opened their third week of 2026 training camp practice on Monday, and the biggest storyline coming out of it centered on the offensive line.

 First-round pick Spencer Fano, selected No. 10 overall, earned the first-team reps with the starting offense going forward and solidified himself as the Browns’ starting left tackle for the upcoming season. The move by first-year coach Todd Monken pushed fourth-year offensive tackle Dawand Jones further down the depth chart.

Spencer Fano wastes no time winning the starting job

It was always expected that Fano would be Cleveland’s starting left tackle, and it took him just a couple of weeks in training camp to prove he was already the team’s best option to protect the blindside of whoever starts at quarterback. Jones was competing for the left tackle spot, but now he’ll potentially serve as the team’s swing tackle given his experience at both left and right tackle.

Monken commented on Jones before Monday’s practice:

“I’ve been awfully proud of Dawand, what he’s done in the offseason to get himself into shape and his body looks like it is,” Monken said Monday. “But at this point, Spencer is playing better. Now, once that happens, you’re not just competing to maybe be the right tackle if something happens, maybe I’m still competing there.”

And you’re also like, alright, once that happens, you’re also competing for a roster spot. That’s what you’re doing at that point. Once you get to that point and you’re thinking you should start competing your rear end off to get a roster spot. When you end up rotating with the twos, now you’re fighting to make the team.”

Dawand Jones faces an uphill battle for playing time in a contract year

Jones’ biggest problem as a pro since being selected in the fourth round has been his availability. He has never played in more than 11 games in a season for Cleveland, and each of his first three years was cut short due to serious injury. Jones played in only three games in 2025 after starting a combined 17 games in 2023 and 2024.

The former Ohio State Buckeye is listed at 6-foot-8, 374 pounds, but he noticeably lost weight heading into training camp to put himself in better position to compete for a roster spot and stay on the field. Jones is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and unless something changes, he isn’t scheduled to see much playing time in 2026 unless the Browns need him to step in.

That reality makes Monken’s message loud and clear. Jones isn’t just fighting for a starting spot anymore: he’s fighting for a spot on the depth chart. In a contract year, that’s all Jones should need to lock in and make this team.