Joel Bitonio among linemen 'working through' Browns tackle shortage with Ravens looming
BEREA — Joel Bitonio's not unfamiliar with the reality of playing left tackle. It wasn't that long ago that the Browns All-Pro left guard found him in exactly that position.
“Yep, 2021," Bitonio recalled Thursday. "Two games. I remember them. That was a few years ago, but I know (offensive line coach) Bill (Callahan is) working at trying to get our five best guys out there, and we’ll see how it plays out.”
Those two games in 2021 against the Las Vegas Raiders and Green Bay Packers were the full extent of Bitonio's NFL starting experience at the left tackle spot. He was forced on short notice into the role when Jedrick Wills Jr. was placed on the COVID list.
Two years later, Bitonio may be leaning on that experience to help him help the Browns get through another tackle shortage. Wills is on injured reserve with an MCL sprain in his right knee and Dawand Jones, the starting right tackle, is battling through shoulder and knee injuries.
So that leaves the Callahan, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt looking around for options for Sunday's AFC North showdown at the Baltimore Ravens. One of those options is ninth-year pro and two-time All-Pro guard Bitonio.
“We’ll see," Bitonio said. "No, we’re working through that right now. Obviously Jed, a steady left tackle for us and a guy like that, luckily it’s not as bad as it could be. We’re kind of figuring that out this week and we’ve got a few new bodies in here, so we’re getting to know each other a little better and getting a little extra work in."
Jones did not practice Wednesday for the second week in a row. However, Thursday differed from the previous week — when Jones did play against the Arizona Cardinals despite being limited in practice Thursday and Friday — in that the big rookie was off to the side working with a trainer during the portion of practice open to the media.
That's a development that only intensifies the questions about the Browns offensive line. With Jones in the lineup, they at least have one starting tackle, even if there's a chance he could flip from the right side to the left, playing against the No. 2-ranked defense, which has an NFL-high 35 sacks.
"Anybody that goes out there, if you had the full, healthy O-line out there, it's still a challenge," Van Pelt said Thursday. "That's a good defense, and the edge rushers are special. So, yeah, it's always a challenge, and that's part of football. We got to find a way to make it work."
James Hudson III would be in line to start at one tackle spot regardless of Jones' status. However, the question remains which one since most of his snaps over his first two-and-a-half years have been at the right tackle spot.
Jones not being able to play would be the nuclear option that would lead to any number of possibilities. Sixth-year pro Geron Christian, who was signed off the practice squad this week, is another true tackle on the roster, as is Leroy Watson IV.
The Browns have two other tackles — Alex Leatherwood and James Murray — on the practice squad. It seems almost certain one of those players will be elevated on game day to the roster to add more depth.
"Kev said it best," Van Pelt said. "We're just working through everything right now, all the different possibilities and obviously let that go all the way up to game time to see who's there. But James has always worked hard. He's played both sides, does a nice job when he gets in. But we have other options, and we'll see."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Joel Bitonio helping Browns overcome tackle injuries against Ravens
