Browns injuries underscore that with four games to go, nothing is guaranteed
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Second thoughts on Browns 31-27 win over Jacksonville Jaguars …
1. The 24-hour rule of celebrating Sunday’s Browns victory had not even expired when the harsh reality of this treacherous 2023 season struck again. Coach Kevin Stefanski opened his Monday Zoom conference with news that rookie right tackle Dawand Jones will need surgery to repair a knee injury and is out for the season. “Disappointed for Dawand, obviously, and he’ll rehab and we’ll get him back. Tough for him, but next man up,” Stefanski said, matter-of-factly. That stern mindset has helped the Browns achieve an 8-5 record in spite of season-ending injuries to return specialist Jakeem Grant, offensive tackle Jack Conklin, running back Nick Chubb, quarterback Deshaun Watson and safety Rodney McLeod. The Browns also may lose safety Grant Delpit for multiple games because of a groin injury. With four games to go, the Browns are in solid position, currently the fifth seed in the AFC playoff field. But more than ever, it seems, the NFL has become a war of attrition. Nothing is guaranteed and nothing is secured, until it is.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones may be the Browns' rookie-of-the-year, but his season is over after suffering a knee injury at practice last week.
2. James Hudson now will replace Jones as the third starting right tackle. Geron Christian has started the last five games in place of injured left tackle Jedrick Wills. Nick Harris replaced injured center Ethan Pocic (stinger) in the Jacksonville game. Pocic’s status for the Chicago game will be evaluated throughout the practice week. The Browns are better suited than most teams to withstand offensive line injuries because of Bill Callahan, their legendary line coach. “I think it really does come back to Coach Callahan and his ability to really bring along everybody,” guard Wyatt Teller said. “He works extremely hard. He’s a hard coach. He’s going to make sure that everybody’s playing at the best of their ability, which is a testament to how he coaches.”
3. Two games is a small sample size, but there is legitimate reason to believe the Browns are stronger at quarterback with Joe Flacco right now than at any time this season. Usually when a team goes through four quarterbacks, the quality drops dramatically from No. 1 to No. 4. That’s simply not the case with Flacco. Deshaun Watson never recovered his vintage form before suffering his first shoulder injury in Game 3 and then his second one in Game 9. Despite being idle for 11 months, Flacco clearly is a better QB than Watson replacements Dorian Thompson-Robinson and P.J. Walker. Further, Flacco has played only two games. He is fresh and unencumbered by the rigors of a full season. Fourteen quarterbacks have not yet missed a game and you can make the case that Flacco, even at age 38, is in better physical shape right now than any of them. “Yeah, I think it probably cuts both ways,” Stefanski said. “Not having a training camp and a preseason to get those reps … he’s catching up in that regard. But I think it goes back [to] when we were adding Joe and had him in for the workout. He looked -- I’m sure like he’s looked his whole life – looked in great shape, threw the ball well. So I think that’s a credit to him, of staying ready throughout this entire season.”
4. The Browns confirmed they signed Delpit to a three-year contract extension. The deal, per reports, is for $36 million with $23 million guaranteed. That means Delpit virtually is guaranteed two years for $23 million. Then the club can opt out in Year 3 without severe salary cap penalties – or extend again. Delpit is the first player from GM Andrew Berry’s four Browns drafts to receive a second contract. Berry said in a statement: “When we began the season, our defensive staff set the goal of leading the NFL in three categories: physical toughness, effort and -- most importantly – bad-assery. Grant’s competitive, high-energy, on-field personality is the perfect embodiment of these characteristics.” Delpit was one of three safeties last season to lead his team in tackles and interceptions. He leads the Browns this season with 80 tackles. He has one interception, one forced fumble, one recovered fumble, 1.5 sacks and seven tackles for losses.
