CLEVELAND — Browns starting rookie right tackle Dawand Jones will miss Sunday’s game at Baltimore with shoulder and knee injuries, further depleting Cleveland’s offensive line as it gets ready to face one of the NFL’s top defenses.
Jones missed his third straight practice Friday and was ruled out by coach Kevin Stefanski. The loss of Jones comes after the Browns (5-3) placed starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. on injured reserve this week after he hurt his knee last Sunday against Arizona.
Stefanski wouldn’t reveal any plans to replace Jones, but James Hudson III and Geron Christian are among his options.
It’s hardly an ideal situation as the Browns prepare for the AFC North-leading Ravens (7-2), who lead the league with 35 sacks and have allowed just 13.8 points per game, another league best.
A fifth-round pick from Ohio State, Jones was thrown into Cleveland’s starting lineup earlier than expected when Jack Conklin tore knee ligaments in the season opener. Jones, who had some conditioning issues in training camp, has played better than expected and particularly well as a pass protector.
He hurt his shoulder against Seattle on Oct. 29 and his knee last week, but Jones finished the game.
The Browns have spent the week working through combinations on their line. One of the most likely scenarios is for Hudson, who is the team’s swing tackle, taking over Wills’ left spot and Christian filling in for Jones.
While the 27-year-old Christian was only signed to the active roster Tuesday, he has more experience than many of Cleveland’s other reserves after spending time with Washington, Houston and Kansas City.
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