The Browns believe that right tackle Jack Conklin is dealing with a torn patella tendon in his knee, according to a source who spoke with ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). Conklin, who was carted off during Sunday night’s loss to the Ravens, will know more after additional testing this afternoon.
“You hate that for anybody, especially Jack, who’s been fighting to come back after the dislocated elbow,” said quarterback Baker Mayfield (via ESPN.com). “It’s just one of those freak deals. He’s one of our guys, and it’s just a really, really unfortunate thing.”
Conklin has already missed time this year thanks to the elbow dislocation he suffered in Week 8 and another knee injury earlier in the year. Of course, when healthy, Conklin has performed as one of the game’s best right tackles. In 2019 and 2020, Pro Football Focus ranked him as the tenth best tackle in the NFL. And, even in this injury-marred season, PFF has him slotted 14th.
The Browns gave the former first round pick a three-year, $42M deal in 2020. He’s still under contract for 2022 and almost certain to return — releasing him would save just $6M against $9M in dead money. Beyond that, they’d be hard-pressed to find a better option for less on the open market.
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