Jack Conklin is the walking definition of grit when it comes to being an NFL offensive lineman, or maybe the limping definition of grit is a more apt description, because the Browns 28-year-old right tackle is also injury prone.
Conklin wasn’t expected to play Aug. 17 when the Browns and Eagles play a preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field because Coach Kevin Stefanski said the starters would get in their work on Aug. 14 and 15 during joint practices with the Eagles in Philadelphia. Now Conklin definitely won’t play because he is in concussion protocol after being injured in a session with the Eagles.
The plan to rest the starters against the Eagles means neither Deshaun Watson nor Joshua Dobbs will play. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson will play quarterback in the first half and Kellen Mond will play the second half, Stefanski announced. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised in the Cleveland area on WEWS Channel 5.
None of the starters played in the Hall of Fame game with the Jets on Aug. 3. Most of the starting offense, including Conklin, was on the opening drive of the 17-15 loss to the Commanders Aug. 11, but their night was finished after 12 plays.
Third-year player James Hudson is listed as the backup left tackle on the unofficial depth chart, but he can also play right tackle. Stefanski hinted Hudson will start at right tackle against the Eagles, which could mean Tyrone Wheatley Jr. might be the left tackle. Wheatley is listed third on the depth chart at left tackle behind Jedrick Wills and Hudson. Hudson is valuable because he can play either tackle position.
Dawand Jones, a 6-foot-8, 350 pound fourth-round rookie from Ohio State, is strictly a right tackle. Jones could sub for Hudson if Stefanski decides to make Hudson and Wheatley his starting tackles against the Eagles.
Jones has come a long way since rookie minicamp when he was so winded during drills he looked as though he might not survive the weekend. Contrast that to the Hall of Fame game when he lined up for every one of Cleveland’s 74 offense snaps. He played 70 percent (54) of the snaps in the game with the Commanders.
“I think that for any rookie coming in as an offensive lineman, it’s going to be a process, it’s going to be a learning scenario, and they’re going to learn incrementally as they go along,” offensive line coach Bill Callahan said. “I really thought his pass protection took some major steps. He still has a long ways to go yet.
“We’re still working on the run technique aspects of his play to make him a more complete player. But it was good to see him perform under the lights against good competition, taking third down sets, which are so critical to protection.”
Conklin is in his fourth season with the Browns. He missed three games with a dislocated elbow in 2021. He bounced back quickly and started against the Ravens on Nov. 28, but on the 10th offensive snap he suffered a torn patellar tendon. His season was over. He rehabbed relentlessly, but wasn’t cleared to start until the third game of the season.
The Browns showed faith in Conklin last December by signing him to a four-year contract extension through 2026. Even if Conklin does play four more years with the Browns, grooming Jones and Hudson now means the line will be deep at tackle for what the team hopes is a playoff season.
“I’ve been really pleased with (Hudson’s) progress coming into training camp, especially in the offseason,” Callahan said. “He did really good things from a technique perspective. He showed growth, he showed maturity. I love his passion.
“His tempo has picked up. His aggressiveness has picked up. I like his swing versatility that he gives us. He’s become a better player because of his intelligence. He’s smart, he can anticipate quicker. His pass sets have improved. We’re still going through training camp, so we’re excited about his progress.”
Hudson, 6-foot-5, 313 pounds, a fourth-round pick from the University of Cincinnati, is in his third season. He has seven career starts.
Browns at Eagles
When: 7:30 p.m., Aug. 17
Where: Lincoln Financial Field
Preseason records: 1-1, Eagle 0-1
TV: WEWS, NFL Network
Radio: WNCX-FM 98.5, WKRK-FM 92.3, WKNR-AM 850
