The Cleveland Browns' most stable position group has already lost a stalwart contributor. Starting right tackle Jack Conklin was carted off the field with a knee injury early in the second quarter of his team's season-opening victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. He was immediately getting ruled out for the game's remainder, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. After the game, head coach Kevin Stefanski wasn't optimistic about his availability moving forward, per ESPN's Jake Trotter:

“Stefanski said the early tests on OT Jack Conklin's knee (or the chance of him returning in 2023) ‘aren't good.' Wouldn't specify the injury.”

Video of the injury shows Browns left tackle Jedrick Willis Jr. shoving Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson to the ground as Deshaun Watson releases a pass. Unfortunately, Hendrickson falls directly into Conklin's left leg, bending his knee at an extremely awkward angle.

Conklin was replaced in the lineup by rookie Dawand Jones. A fourth-round pick out of Ohio State, Jones is one of the biggest players in the NFL, standing 6'8 and weighing 374 pounds.

Article Continues Below
More Cleveland Browns News
One mystery player in the middle, Jerry Jeudy and Myles Garrett around him, Cleveland Browns logo in the background
Rising Cleveland Browns rookie turning heads in 2025 OTAsEnzo Flojo ·
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) participates in position drills during an NFL practice at the Cleveland Browns training facility
Browns’ Shedeur Sanders surprised by Joe Flacco’s admission during OTAsAlex House ·
Tommy Rees speaks to reporters during his introductory news conference as Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator.
New Browns OC makes declaration on heated QB competitionJaren Kawada ·
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws during NFL rookie minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Friday, May 9, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Shedeur Sanders doesn’t get any 1st-team reps at OTAsMike Gianakos ·
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up on the field prior to the game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
NFL rumors: Falcons insider picks Browns Kirk Cousins trade idea over SteelersZachary Weinberger ·
Featured image Deion Sanders Shedeur Sanders
Deion Sanders ‘hurt’ by negative Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ draft perceptionDylan Fine ·

Conklin, 29, initially joined Cleveland as a free agent in 2020, making his second First Team All-Pro appearance in his debut campaign with the Browns. After multiple injuries limited him to just seven games in 2021, the veteran bounced back to play in 14 games last season, re-establishing himself as a cog of Cleveland's offensive line.

The team signed Conklin to a four-year contract extension worth up to $60 million last December, securing his long-term future in brown and orange.

“Cleveland will be my home forever,” he said at the time. “Obviously, I would like to be here for the rest of my career. We'll see what happens and how that works out. This is the place where I definitely want to be.”

The Browns pulled away from the Bengals in the second half thanks to a tremendous defensive performance and a relentless running attack led by Nick Chubb, winning by a final score of 24-3.