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Report: Browns OT Jack Conklin out for Season After Knee Injury vs. Ravens

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVNovember 29, 2021

Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin leaves the field on a cart during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
AP Photo/Gail Burton

Cleveland Browns starting right tackle Jack Conklin suffered a torn patellar tendon in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and will miss the remainder of the season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Without Conklin on the right side of the line, the Browns ran for 40 yards against the Ravens, significantly below the 147.1 yards per game they're averaging this season.

The two-time All-Pro had just returned to the field after missing three games with a dislocated elbow. He also missed two games earlier in the season because of a knee injury. Losing him to a potentially significant knee injury sums up a frustrating 2021 season in Northeast Ohio.

The team ended the Odell Beckham Jr. experiment in early November. Baker Mayfield is playing through multiple injuries. The Browns are facing their second instance of a player's father criticizing Mayfield's performance.

Brad Stainbrook @BrownsByBrad

Kareem Hunt Sr., the father of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Browns</a> RB Kareem Hunt on Facebook: <a href="https://t.co/NuKcXRPuVg">pic.twitter.com/NuKcXRPuVg</a>

With the Cleveland signal-caller struggling, the running game has been critical in carrying the offense. However, the success of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt might hinge on Conklin's replacement.

The Browns averaged 187.6 yards per game on the ground through their first five games. With Conklin missing five of their last seven games and limited in the other two, the offense has eclipsed 100 rushing yards three times.

If head coach Kevin Stefanski can't lean on Chubb and Hunt to the extent he did earlier in the year, then it could be a major problem because Mayfield clearly isn't healthy enough to be a high-volume passer. He finished 18-of-37 for 247 yards and one touchdown on Sunday night.

Cleveland must be left wondering what else can go wrong.