The NFL admitted that the officials missed a call on the play that injured Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Dawand Jones against the Green Bay Packers.
Jones was injured early in the first quarter after Packers safety Javon Bullard dove low at his legs. He exited the game and the Browns confirmed on Monday after an MRI that Jones would miss the rest of the season.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said the team was planning to submit the play to the league offices for review, and now they’ve heard back.
“(They said) it should have been a penalty, which we all thought it was,” Stefanski said.
Unfortunately for the Browns, that admission from the NFL won’t bring their 6-foot-8, 374-pound tackle back.
“It shouldn’t happen, obviously, and I’m not saying that there was intent for that to happen. Our guys understand the rules,” Stefanski said. “I can picture Antoine Winfield, that was kind of his calling card on those plays, so you would be maybe more aware to protect yourself. Disappointed in the result of that play, of course. But, yeah, it’s unfortunate.”
Browns Shorthanded at Offensive Tackle With Jones Out
With Jones out, the Browns will shuffle their offensive line and attempt to find some stability at the tackle position. Former All-Pro Jack Conklin is dealing with an elbow injury that’s kept him out for two games. Conklin is questionable this week.
Cleveland will rely on Cornelius Lucas and second-year player KT Leveston to fill the void. The Browns also signed Thayer Munford Jr. to the active roster this week.
“Continuity of that position, in particular that position group, where you need five guys to see the game through one set of eyes, continuity is ideal. It’s what we all want,” Browns offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren said earlier in the month “But we also know the reality of the National Football League. It’s going to be next man up, and ideal situations don’t always play out. It’s not ideal, but we also train people who are professional football players that should be able to step in there and get it right.”
Browns Have Veteran Strength on Interior of Offensive Line
The Browns can rely on the interior of their offensive line to bring some stability. Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller and Ethan Pocic have combined to start more than 330 games. Bitonio — the longest tenured member of the Browns — has battled through injuries and has been a steadying presence for the unit.
“I think the confidence that Joel can give those guys, the confidence that Wyatt can give those guys by playing next to them, communicating, they know the offense in and out, so they’re able to kind of breed some confidence into those young players, just because they can communicate so much easier,” offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said. “And then as you build a continuity with that group, you hope it becomes seamless, right? Like, you look at lines that can play together, if they stay healthy, or if they’re together for a long time, usually that group of five can kind of feel each other in a way that passing off games, communicating different looks, that becomes very seamless for them.”
The Browns face a stiff test this week on the road against the Detroit Lions. Cleveland is a 10.5-point underdog, per ESPN BET.
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