The Cleveland Browns will not be at full strength Sunday with at least two starters out and other players listed as questionable for their matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
All-Pro right tackle Jack Conklin will miss his third game of the season.
Conklin did not practice all week after he suffered a dislocated elbow in the Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On Saturday, the Browns placed Conklin on injured reserve.
Any player put on IR must miss a minimum of three games, but it is possible Conklin could be out longer.
Akron Beacon Journal reporter Nate Ulrich reported Saturday that Conklin is expected to avoid elbow surgery, according to an unnamed source.
Conklin plays a major role in the Browns’ success in the running game, which ranks first in the NFL with an average of 161.1 rushing yards per game.
Blake Hance is expected to fill in for Conklin.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. also won’t play.
The Browns (4-4) announced Friday they would release Beckham.
Another NFL team can officially claim Beckham on Tuesday.
On Sunday, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that second-year receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones is expected to start in Beckham’s place.
The Browns had listed Peoples-Jones as questionable with a groin injury.
Citing an unnamed source, Rapoport also reported defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (ankle, knee and hip) and cornerback Denzel Ward (hamstring) are expected to play.
With WR Odell Beckham Jr headed for waivers, #Browns WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin) is expected to take his place as a starter despite bieng questionable. Meanwhile, DE Jadeveon Clowney (ankle, knee) and CB Denzel Ward (hamstring) should be good, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 7, 2021
Clowney, Ward, tight end Harrison Bryant (thigh) and defensive end Takk McKinley (groin) are each listed as questionable.
Safety John Johnson III (neck) did not receive an injury designation, which means he is due to return.
Bryant did not practice Friday after he was a limited participant on Thursday.
Clowney and McKinley both practiced Friday after missing practice Thursday.
Peoples-Jones and Ward both did not play in Week 8, but were each limited participants during the three days of practice this week.
The Browns activated fullback Andy Janovich and backup center Nick Harris from injured reserve.
Janovich missed three games with a hamstring injury.
A hamstring injury sidelined Harris for four games.
The Browns also elevated defensive tackle Sheldon Day and rookie tight end Miller Forristall from the practice squad to the active roster.
Forristall would fill the void left by Bryant if he is unable to play.
The Bengals (5-3) also have several players listed as questionable, including running back Chris Evans (hamstring), defensive end Cam Sample (illness/knee) and wide receiver Auden Tate (thigh).
However, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said he expects Evans and Tate to play.
The Browns have several key contributors still on injured reserve, including running back Kareem Hunt and rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
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