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Browns could be even more short-handed in Week 10
Cleveland Browns Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Browns could be even more short-handed in Week 10

The Browns placed former first-round left tackle Jedrick Wills on injured reserve this week, losing one of the pillars on their offensive line. However, Wills may not be the only offensive lineman they're without come Sunday.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that he doesn't know if rookie right tackle Dawand Jones will be ready to face the Ravens in Week 10 after not practicing with shoulder and knee injuries on Wednesday, per Cleveland.com beat writer Mary Kay Cabot.

Although Jones's injury is not expected to sideline him long-term like Wills's has, it still puts Cleveland in a tough situation this week. 

Offensive tackle James Hudson III, a fourth-round pick by the Browns in 2021, was supposed to be the next man up to fill in for Wills. But since Jones's injury, he's been practicing at right tackle and isn't sure which side he'll start on against Baltimore.

Hudson III has filled in well, not allowing a sack on 102 offensive snaps played this season, per Pro Football Focus. But it is a small sample size and not at right tackle where he may be playing come Sunday.

If Hudson III does play on the right side, that likely means offensive tackle Geron Christian, a third-round pick by Washington in 2018, will play on the left side. Christian has made 16 career starts but hasn't been able to stick anywhere now on his fifth team since being drafted.

It's certainly not the position the Browns hoped to find themselves in as the Ravens already lead the league in sacks (35).

Cleveland must do its best to keep QB Deshaun Watson, who is still recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for several games, upright and healthy. If it can't, the team's 2023 aspirations will come to a halt.

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