The Cleveland Browns may have avoided the worst-case scenario with Zion Johnson.
Johnson, the team’s left guard, left Sunday’s 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars with a knee injury before returning just one play later. That quick return was a promising sign, and head coach Todd Monken said the Browns got “good information” earlier today on Johnson’s status.
“We’ll have a better idea when he gets back in the building Wednesday.”
That was the update Monken offered, and while it didn’t lock anything down, it did suggest the injury may not be serious. Still, knee issues are never something to shrug off, and Cleveland will be watching closely as it turns its attention to the Buccaneers.
The Browns are already juggling changes up front. Teven Jenkins missed Week 1, and rookie Austin Barber stepped in at right guard. If Johnson is also unavailable, that would create another hole on the line and force Cleveland into more reshuffling.
One possible fix would involve moving center Elgton Jenkins to left guard, a spot he played plenty of times with the Green Bay Packers. That option only becomes realistic if rookie center Parker Brailsford is able to go in Week 2 after sitting out with a lingering thumb injury.
If Jenkins can’t play again, Barber would stay at right guard. If Johnson also can’t suit up, the Browns could end up leaning on that center-to-guard switch, though it would come with some growing pains.
There’s also the Watson factor. Deshaun Watson’s comfort with a rookie center could matter here, especially after a rough Week 1 showing. A change at center could make things even less stable for an offense already trying to find its footing.
For Cleveland, it comes down to adapting again. Injuries are part of the deal, and the Browns will have to sort through the options and keep moving.
In Other News...
Browns Offense Had One Bright Spot Fans Should Notice After Week 1
Week 1 against Jacksonville did not give the Browns much to celebrate on offense, but the snap counts at least showed where the structure of the unit is headed. Cleveland leaned heavily on its offensive line, which was on the field for nearly every play, while Deshaun Watson had a few encouraging moments amid an otherwise sluggish day. The running back rotation and receiver usage were mixed, and the tight ends were barely involved, leaving a clear picture of an offense still searching for a rhythm.
For a team that came away with so little production, the encouraging part is that the alignment of the personnel suggests the Browns already know which pieces they trust most. The challenge now is turning that stability up front into something more functional everywhere else, because the passing game and the skill-position distribution left plenty of questions after the opener. The snap chart offered one useful clue, but it also hinted at how much work still sits ahead for Cleveland. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Could Give Shedeur Sanders A Familiar Option If QB Plans Change
Jimmy Horn Jr. is suddenly available, and that alone makes him a name worth tracking for a Browns team still sorting out its young skill positions. The former Carolina Panthers receiver was drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, just after Cleveland took Shedeur Sanders, and the two already have built-in familiarity from their college days together at Colorado.
If the Browns decide to add more depth at wide receiver, Horn fits the profile of a low-cost, familiar option who could help a developing room. The connection becomes even more interesting if Sanders role changes and he ends up handling the offense, since Cleveland would then be looking not just for talent but for players who already know how to work alongside him. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Rookies Gave Fans One Reason To Watch After Week 1 Loss
The Browns opened on the road against the Jaguars with a first look at how several rookies might fit into the bigger picture, and there were at least a few encouraging signs amid the loss. Left tackle Spencer Fano had his hands full with the matchup, but he held up reasonably well for a young blocker, while wideouts KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston gave the offense some life with catches and a touchdown.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren also got into the mix on the back end, and right guard Austin Barber was another rookie who stood out in a way Cleveland can build on. Barber posted the highest offensive grade among Browns players in the game, which is the kind of early showing that can matter for a team trying to sort out which first-year players are ready to contribute right away. [Read more 🡒]