Browns right tackle Conklin ‘ready to go’
Cleveland’s biggest free-agent prizewill play vs. Washington.
Starting right tackle CLEVELAND—
Jack Conklin vowed to be back in action Sunday when the Browns host the Washington Football Teamand its highly touted defensive line.
“I’mready to go,” Conklin said Wednesday on Zoom. “... I’m rolling.”
Conklinsufffffffffffferedanankle injury Sept. 13 in a 38-6 season-opening loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The blockbuster 2020 free-agent acquisition was active but did not play in a 35-30 win over the Cincinnati Bengals as Chris Hubbard held down the fort at right tackle on “Thursday Night Football.”
But Conklin explained the Browns’ recent “mini-byeweek” helped him recover from the injury.
“The ankle is feeling great,” said Conklin, who returned to practice Monday. “I’ll be back to 100% this week.”
After Conklin tested the ankle Thursday during pregame warmups, coachKevinStefanskidecided to keep him active in case the Browns needed him to play in a pinch. He wound up getting the night offff against the Bengals.
“It’s tough,” Conklin said. “You want to be out there playing. That’s why I’m here.”
Conklin said Washington’s defensive line, which boasts fifive fifirst- round draft picks, presents
“a great challenge.” Washington leads the NFL with 11 sacks.
OnWednesday, Stefanski saidConklinis “a trustworthy guy” in terms of assessing his own health.
“You take what he says definitely to heart,” Stefanski said. “Nice to have him out there. He’s a good football player. There’s a reason we brought him in here. He brings a level of toughness towhatwe do. A very heady football player, so excited anytime he’s out there.”
Linebacker Mack Wilson (knee) and cornerbacks GreedyWilliams (shoulder) and Kevin Johnson (liver) practiced Wednesday on a limited basis after returning to the field Monday. Each missed the first two games.
Defensive ends Olivier Vernon (abdomen) and Adrian Clayborn (hip) and rookie linebacker Jacob Phillips (knee) remained idle Wednesday. Vernon and Phillips sat out against the Bengals. Clayborn left the game with an injury in the first half. All three of them worked out beside the practice fields Wednesday.