Deshaun Watson’s first start since 2024 just got a whole lot tougher for the Browns this Sunday. Head coach Todd Monken dropped the news on Friday that right guard Teven Jenkins is out for their season opener against the Jaguars, leaving a massive hole on the offensive line that two rookies are now stepping into. This isn’t just a bump in the road; it’s a major curveball right out of the gate.
Rookies Thrown Into the Fire
Jenkins, who plays right guard, was already limited on Wednesday with a back injury and then didn’t practice at all on Thursday or Friday. Monken kept it tight-lipped, only telling reporters, “I’m not getting into the specifics, he’s just not able to go this week.” So, with Jenkins sidelined, rookie third-round pick Austin Barber is getting the nod to start in his place at right guard. But wait, there’s more. First-round pick Spencer Fano is also lining up at left tackle, meaning the Browns are rolling out *two* rookie offensive linemen for their first game of the season. Talk about a trial by fire!
Monken’s Confidence and a Scary Stat
Despite the inexperience, Coach Monken sounds surprisingly confident. He mentioned Barber, saying, “We see the talent there, and he needs to play.” When asked about his faith in both young linemen, Monken pointed to what he sees every day: “Just the way they’ve practiced, just what I’ve seen every day. That’s all you can go by, is what you see every day. And I haven’t seen anything to the contrary that would make me believe that they’re not going to play really, really well and confidently.” Hopefully, that confidence isn’t misplaced. Browns radio play-by-play announcer Andrew Siciliano pointed out something pretty wild, too: this is the first time since 1990 that the Browns are deploying an entirely new offensive line. That’s a stat that’ll make any fan sweat a little, especially with a quarterback making his return.
This Sunday, the Browns face the Jaguars with a completely reshaped offensive front protecting Watson. It’s a huge test for those rookies and an even bigger one for Watson, who needs to shake off the rust from 2024. Can these young guys hold their own, or is it going to be a long afternoon for the Browns’ offense? The whole league is watching to see how this plays out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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