In a concerning development for the Cleveland Browns, promising young left tackle Dawand Jones was carted off the field late in the first half of their game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. The 2023 fourth-round pick suffered a left ankle injury that cut his third career start at the position short.
According to sources on the Browns’ sideline, the injury occurred when Jones got rolled up on by teammate Wyatt Teller. The right guard was pushed back into Jones while attempting to make a block, leading to the worrying incident. Trainers quickly tended to the 23-year-old, placing an air cast on his left leg before transporting him off the field on a cart for further evaluation.
The Browns initially listed Jones as doubtful to return before downgrading him to out after halftime. It’s a tough blow for the 6-foot-8, 379-pound lineman, who had been settling in at left tackle after beginning his NFL career at right tackle.
Promising Rookie Campaign Interrupted
Jones, an Ohio State product, impressed in his debut season in 2023, starting nine games at right tackle in place of an injured Jack Conklin. However, his own campaign was cut short by an MCL injury last December.
Heading into 2024, the mammoth lineman competed with 2020 first-round pick Jedrick Wills Jr. for the starting left tackle job. Jones initially began the season at right tackle, starting there in Weeks 1-5 before being benched. But an opportunity arose in Week 8 when he took over for a struggling Wills at left tackle.
Jones had shown promise in his new role, with his rare size and strength serving him well in pass protection. His absence will force the Browns to shuffle their line, with the team turning to swing tackle Germain Ifedi to fill in on Sunday. Wills, who has 57 career starts at the position, was inactive vs. the Saints due to an ongoing knee issue.
Offensive Line Flux Concerns Browns
The state of their offensive tackles has to be concerning for a Cleveland team with playoff aspirations. After years of stability with future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas manning the blind side, the Browns have struggled to find a long-term answer there since his retirement in 2017.
The organization spent the No. 10 overall pick on Wills in 2020, but the Alabama product has battled consistency issues and is now hurt. Jones looked to be an intriguing alternative, but now his status is up in the air.
If the rookie is forced to miss significant time, it would be a big blow to one of the NFL’s most talented rosters. Cleveland has a potent running game led by star back Nick Chubb that relies on mauling linemen like Jones and Teller to pave the way. In the passing game, quarterback Deshaun Watson needs reliable blind-side protection to take shots downfield to Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones.
Promising offensive linemen are invaluable in today’s NFL. The Browns will be hoping for some good news on Jones in the coming days.
– NFL analyst
Road Ahead for Jones and Browns
The severity of Jones’ injury is not yet known, with more tests assuredly coming for the lineman. Much will depend on whether there is any damage to the bones or ligaments of the ankle.
In the meantime, Cleveland will need to adjust on the fly. Ifedi is a veteran with ample starting experience, but he doesn’t offer Jones’ tantalizing upside. Wills, if healthy, could get another chance to prove himself at the position the Browns envisioned him thriving at when they drafted him.
Key Takeaways:
- Browns LT Dawand Jones sustained worrying ankle injury vs Saints
- 2023 4th-round pick was carted off in the 1st half of his 3rd start at LT
- Jones was replaced by Germain Ifedi; Jedrick Wills inactive (knee)
- Severity of injury unclear; could be big blow to talented Cleveland O-line
Football is a brutal sport, with injuries always a major factor. For the ascending Browns, the health of Jones and the rest of their line bears close monitoring in the coming days and weeks. Their Super Bowl hopes could depend on it.
