Man, what a gut punch for the Cleveland Browns right out of their 21-18 home opener win against the Carolina Panthers! Starting center Elgton Jenkins is officially in concussion protocol after Sunday’s game, and on a short week like this, facing the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football, it means a rookie is almost certainly making his debut in a rivalry game. Parker Brailsford, the undersized, athletic kid from Alabama, is getting thrown into the fire against a Steelers defensive line that doesn’t mess around. This is a HUGE blow for Cleveland as they try to defend home turf.
The Injury Bug Just Keeps Biting Hard
Jenkins’ situation is the headline, no doubt. Entering concussion protocol with a short turnaround means clearing it by Thursday is practically impossible. That’s your starting center, gone. But he’s not alone in the “did not participate” column on Monday’s estimated report. Right guard Teven Jenkins is still sidelined, battling that lingering back issue that just won’t go away. How much longer can this guy be out? And wide receiver Tylan Wallace is also a DNP with a knee injury, another key target out of the lineup. It feels like every time the Browns catch a break, another injury pops up. How are they supposed to build momentum when guys keep hitting the sidelines?
Some Glimmers of Hope, But Still Concerns
It’s not all doom and gloom on the injury front, thank goodness. Cornerback Tyson Campbell, who was a game-time decision against Carolina and ultimately held back as a precaution, was estimated as limited on Monday with his knee issue. That’s encouraging, and expectations are that he’ll be ready to suit up for the Pittsburgh clash. You need all hands on deck against a rival like the Steelers, so getting Campbell back would be huge. Safety Grant Delpit, though, is still limited with his shoulder, which isn’t ideal for a secondary trying to gel. And right tackle Tytus Howard also logged a limited practice with a knee injury. So, while Campbell’s news is positive, there are still some big question marks hanging over that offensive line and secondary heading into Thursday.
This short week is brutal. The Browns just scraped by the Panthers, and now they’ve got to turn around and face Pittsburgh with a rookie likely starting at center and multiple other starters battling to get cleared. Tuesday’s injury report is going to be absolutely critical. Cleveland needs some good news, and fast, if they want to roll into Thursday Night Football against a rival with any real confidence. Get ready, this one’s gonna be a grinder!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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