Browns want Cowboys to keep guessing who’s playing left tackle Sunday

The Cleveland Browns probably know who they are starting at left tackle in Sunday’s season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

They keep that secret tight. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t budge early in the week, and on Friday he told reporters that the Browns will be “working out” their plans for the all-important left tackle “over the next 48 hours.”

That’s likely a playmaking ability as the Browns finish their preparation for the Cowboys, new Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and edge rusher extraordinaire Micah Parsons. But there’s also a chance that the Browns’ plans are really flowing.

The Browns ruled longtime starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. on Friday. this week That wasn’t a surprise, as Wills saw just two practices this week on a limited basis — and those practices were his first since the middle of last season.

Longtime right tackle Jack Conklin is also trying to return from a knee injury and has been practicing at left tackle for the past two weeks. But Conklin hasn’t played at all since last year’s opener, when he suffered a torn ACL, PCL, MCL and meniscus. And he hasn’t played left tackle full-time since his final college season in 2015.

That would likely make the lead option for Sunday fourth-year tackle James Hudson III, the left tackle with the No. 1 offense for most of the offseason. Hudson missed two weeks of practice after suffering an ankle sprain in the second preseason game, but he was a full participant this week. Hudson was mostly right tackle with the Browns but played all over the line — and even at times as a fullback in goal-line packages — over the past two seasons before spending this May through mid-August at left tackle.

Perhaps the Browns are waiting on Conklin for a final answer. Conklin said earlier this week that he’s fine and “letting the knee do the talking” about how game-ready he might be. Conklin said Friday that he expects to go through pregame practice Sunday afternoon.

“See how I feel and get out of there,” Conklin said.

From there, do the Browns move to Conklin? Could they split the left tackle duties between Conklin and Hudson? Could they call up Germain Ifedi from the practice squad after Ifedi closed the preseason playing left tackle when Hudson was injured?

“All options are on the table,” Stefanski said.

If there is a firm plan, the Browns are committed to not sharing any of it.

Staying flexible

The Browns almost certainly knew Wills wouldn’t play this week. He practiced, took a day off, and then had another limited practice. That was similar to the expansion plan the team had Conklin for his return — and may continue to have him. Ifedi seems certain to be called up from the practice squad, and undrafted rookie Lorenzo Thompson is also on the practice squad after spending the summer playing left tackle with the backups.

Hudson played 35 left tackles last season by Pro Football Focus’ counts, mostly as an extra offensive lineman in the team’s jumbo packages. Hudson played 21 left tackle snaps as a rookie. All 14 of his previous starts have come at right tackle.

If the Browns were to make an in-game change, their emergency plans would likely include playing Ifedi and moving Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio out to tackle. Bitonio was a college left tackle who filled the position for two games late in the 2021 season.

The team has until Saturday afternoon to promote up to two players from the practice squad for Sunday. It is also likely to sign a practice squad player to the active roster; the Browns opened a roster spot Thursday by waiving wide receiver David Bell. The Browns want and expect Bell back on the practice squad, but they have deficiencies on the offensive line, tight end and possibly in the return game for the opener.

Veteran wide receiver James Proche could be called up to help in the return game, and new practice squad tight end Cameron Latu could also be called up. The Browns could use Hudson, Conklin, Ifedi or backup center Nick Harris as extra tight ends in certain offensive packages.

The Browns list wide receiver Elijah Moore as their punt returner on their unofficial depth chart, but Moore was rarely spotted returning punts during his time with the Browns. The only certainty is that backup running back Pierre Strong Jr. will be one of the two kick returners. The other could be Proche, Moore, running back D’Onta Foreman or wide receiver Cedric Tillman.

Another sign that the Browns are exploring potential return game options came via Friday afternoon’s league transaction sheet with confirmation that they have worked out former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney. If the Browns are going to explore a future relationship with Toney, it likely won’t happen until after this week’s game.

There is also some uncertainty at linebacker, with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Jordan Hicks being the top two. Hicks will primarily wear the green dot and call the defensive signals.

The Browns probably won’t play many basic three-linebacker sets, but either Tony Fields II or Devin Bush would likely be next as that third linebacker. One problem with guessing here is that Fields and Hicks barely participated in the final three weeks of camp due to minor injuries. Second-year linebacker Mohamoud Diabate will almost certainly be active for the game and could see some special teams snaps.

Ready for anything

Stefanski said he addressed the offense Friday morning about Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley being called for multiple illegal formation penalties in Thursday night’s NFL opener in Kansas City. The Browns have already addressed it; Hudson was flagged several times in the team’s joint practices against the Minnesota Vikings, so the Browns had their own film for reinforcement.

“We knew it was a point of emphasis in the season,” Stefanski said. “It was something that the officials communicated to us all this time. We had the officials here back when the Vikings practiced with us, so that was something that was addressed then. But three (penalties) on the first drive get your attention.

“Those are the types of things when the league wants something highlighted, you better adjust.”

Quarterback Deshaun Watson only missed a handful of reps from the end of minicamp in June through the end of training camp in August, but Watson did not play in the preseason. So he hasn’t gotten a hit or real life rep since November 12th before Sunday.

“Deshaun had a really good week of practice,” Stefanski said. “He’s in full control of what we’re doing. He looks good. He looks healthy. He’s ready to roll.”

(Photo by Jack Conklin and James Hudson: David Dermer and Jessica Rapfogel / USA Today)