The Cleveland Browns have made a move to acquire a veteran tackle to add more depth to the offensive line.
The Browns lost Dawand Jones for the season as he underwent surgery to address a torn LCL in his right knee and a hamstring avulsion.
“Disappointing for the young man. He’ll battle back. He’ll rehab, and he’ll be ready to go, but disappointed for him,” Stefanski said. “Obviously a young player that was getting better. He played right tackle in the last game for those plays before he was injured, but he’s played on both sides of the ball. Disappointed overall for the young man, but he’s somebody that will continue to work, and now he’s just going to have to focus on his rehab.”
Following Jones’ being done for the season, Cleveland was looking to add a tackle.
Now, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Browns acquired Cam Robinson and a 2027 seventh-round pick from the Houston Texans for a 2027 sixth-round pick.
The Texans signed Robinson to a one-year, $12 million deal this offseason. However, he struggled and was inactive in Week 4 as Houston never gave him much of a chance to start at left tackle. It’s also the second-straight season Robinson has been traded during the year, as last season, the 29-year-old was traded from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Minnesota Vikings.
But with the Browns, Robinson can come in and start right away at left tackle and help replace the void of Jones.
Robinson was selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has started 101 career games in the NFL, so Robinson adds some much-needed depth to the offensive line.
Browns Were Looking for Offensive Line Help
After Cleveland lost Jones to a season-ending injury, the Browns were looking to acquire a tackle to replace him.
Cleveland did sign Thayer Munford Jr. to the practice squad. But after that move, the Browns were still looking to add another offensive lineman.
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler revealed the team was exploring trade options to replace Jones.
And Cleveland — whose general manager, Andrew Berry, is never afraid to put together a deal — needs offensive tackle help because of a season-ending knee injury to left tackle Dawand Jones. The Browns are looking at options there,” Fowler wrote.
The Browns ended up finding their new tackle by acquiring Robinson, who should come in and start right away.
In Week 4, Cleveland started Cornelius Lucas and KT Leveston at tackle, with Jones and Jack Conklin both injured. But Lucas struggled mightily and should be replaced by Robinson in Week 5.
Lucas was matched up against Aidan Hutchinson 17 times and allowed 2 sacks (one strip-sack) and 5 pressures.
The Browns are set to travel to England to play the Vikings in Week 5.
Cleveland is Still Without Conklin
Not only did the Browns lose Jones for the entire year, but Cleveland has also been without Conklin.
Conklin missed Week 4 due to an injury, but before the game, coach Kevin Stefanski said the star tackle is progressing.
“Progressing, yeah. Getting better each day,” Stefanski said.
Conklin was selected eighth overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2016. He signed with the Browns as a free agent in 2020. The tackle signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension with the Browns through the 2026 season in 2022.
Browns Acquire $12 Million Veteran Tackle to Replace Dawand Jones