The Browns took another big hit to their offensive line on Monday, with the emphasis on big.
They’ve lost Dawand Jones — or “Big Thanos” — their mammoth rookie right tackle for the season to a torn MCL that will require surgery. The good news is that it’s not a torn ACL, which could be a 9-12 month recovery.
Their fourth round pick out of Ohio State, Jones suffered the injury in practice last Thursday and sat out Sunday’s 31-27 loss to the Jaguars.
“Disappointed for Dawand, obviously, and he’ll rehab and we’ll get him back,” Stefanski said on a video conference Monday. “Tough for him, but next man up.”
Stefanski watched Jones, the biggest player on the team at 6-8, 375, barely make it through his first rookie camp practice, wretching on the sidelines, and then working his way up to one of the best right tackles in the game.
“I’ve seen Dawand make great strides on and off the field,” Stefanski said. “We have a great room. That offensive line room, obviously, with the coaches, with the players. That’s a room that is great for a young player to be in to see how you operate, how you prepare, how you work. And I thought he got better as the season went on. So, disappointed for him. But he played well in a lot of these games and he’s a young player that I think will just continue to get better.”
Jones has climbed to No. 29 in the NFL among offensive tackles, according to Pro Football Focus. He sat out Sunday’s 31-27 loss to the Jaguars with the new injury suffered Thursday in practice. On Friday, he made a brief appearance in the locker room with a sleeve on his right knee and a brace in his hand. Originially listed as questionable, he was downgraded to out on Saturday and then came the news he’s done for the year.
He was replaced Sunday by James Hudson III, who will likely get the nod the rest of the season.
“I’m sad for Dawand,” said right guard Wyatt Teller on a video conference. “I’ve been praying for him. It’s definitely one of those things where it’s just been a crazy season, but I’ve kind of said it all season, but we got a next man up mentality, and I truly believe in James (Hudson). And while I feel like refs were a little nitpicky with some of the calls, he played well. Every combo I had, it was great playing next to him, pushing out on certain plays and stuff like that. He helped me out and stuff like that. So he’s a great teammate, and I believe we’ll do more. I truly believe in James, but it’s definitely sad losing to Dawand.”
The Browns also lost center Ethan Pocic to a stinger in the first quarter of Sunday’s game, and he was replaced by Nick Harris. Pocic’s status will be updated on Wednesday.
“We’re very comfortable and confident with Nick, and just because that’s how he is, he’s a pros pro,” Stefanski said. “Does a great job, so I think it’s the players, they get the credit for staying ready in all those situations.”
Teller couldn’t have been more proud of Harris for stepping in an holding down the center spot for Joe Flacco.
“Nick, his story is kind of crazy,” Teller said. “I was talking to him earlier today, and after the game, I was just hugging him, and I was just so happy for him because two years ago, 2022, he was the starting center for the Cleveland Browns. He was the first center, and he got hurt versus Jacksonville and was able to come in and get a win. It was just special, you know, that ability, not be mentally out of anything you know. I talked to our rookies and Luke (Wyper) and Dawand, and I’m like you know, how long this season is.
“You guys are bowl prep now when you guys get to relax a little bit before you get to play in a cool championship game. We’re playing every week until mid-January, and then hopefully beyond that, it’s just a long season. We’ve faced a lot of adversity. We have a resilient team, and I’m lucky to be a part of it.”
Jones joins fellow right tackle Jack Conklin, who’s out for the season with a knee injury suffered during the season opener against the Bengals. Left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. suffered a sprained knee during the Cardinals game Nov. 5 and has missed the past five games. He’s eligible to come off of injured reserve and could possibly make it back before the end of the season.
The Browns were down to their fourth and fifth tackle options on Sunday in Geron Christian at left tackle and Hudson at right tackle.
