BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Browns right tackle Jack Conklin is expected to return later this season after suffering a dislocated left elbow in Sunday’s 15-10 loss to the Steelers.
Conklin is likely headed to injured reserve after head coach Kevin Stefanski said he would miss “multiple weeks” on Monday but it is unclear if surgery will be required.
Conklin went down at the 9:18 mark of the second quarter on a Nick Chubb run for no gain on first-and-10 at their own 25. A cart was quickly brought out, but Conklin waved it off and walked off with medical staff instead.
“It's tough. Those injuries are scary,” center J.C. Tretter said. “It puts a pit in your stomach when you see something like that. I feel terrible for Jack. Those are just really tough. You hate seeing those.”
Although it is unclear just how long Conklin will be out, Stefanski was optimistic the injury was not season ending.
"It's a significant injury but I do expect him back this season," Stefanski said.
With Conklin, who missed the previous two games due to a knee injury, sidelined, Blake Hance will be called upon to fill the void.
Hance has seen significant snaps filling in for both Conklin and left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. this season.
“It's not easy to kind of be that guy that's always got to be kind of in the bullpen ready to go, but he's done great stepping in and going out there and providing a good value for us of being able to play both sides, being able to start,” Tretter said. “So kudos to him for what he's been able to do this year being thrown into a position that probably wasn't going to be his role going into the year but with injuries has turned into his role.”
Johnson day to day – Safety John Johnson III is “day to day” according to Stefanski after suffering a neck sprain Sunday.
Ward on the way – Cornerback Denzel Ward could return this week against the Bengals.
Stefanski said Monday he was hopeful that Ward would return to face their in-state rivals but would know more later in the week.
