Browns’ Conklin to battle Chargers’ Bosa
As a freshman at Michigan State University, Jack Conklin learned about the punishment Joey Bosa can inflict on offensive linemen.
“It’s always a battle,” Conklin said Thursday before the Browns practiced.
Conklin’s primary matchup Sunday on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers will be Bosa, a threetime Pro Bowl edge rusher and former Ohio State star. They have faced each other twice in the NFL, both when Conklin still played for the Tennessee Titans.
“I think he’s a really good technician,” Conklin said. “You watch the way he uses his hands, he’s a very smart player.”
Bosa has 11 tackles, 21⁄2 sacks, six quarterback hits and two forced fumbles this season.
“He’s one of the best guys in the league, one of the best edges in the league,” three-time Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio said. “With him, he’s so crafty. A lot of guys are explosive and athletic just like him, but his hand work [stands out]. I feel like him and his brother [San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowler Nick Bosa] were raised to play defensive end, outside linebacker in the NFL. These guys are impressive specimens. They play hard. They play the right way.”
Bosa has 50 sacks in 67 career regular-season games. No player in Chargers history has reached 50 sacks in fewer games.
“He’s just long. His length and his hand usage is really good,” offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said. “He’s powerful, explosive and slippery. He can change the game. He has shown he has done that multiple times throughout the course of the season already. Definitely aware of where No. 97 is on the field.”
Quarterback Baker Mayfield certainly knows he can’t afford to hang onto the ball long with Bosa lurking.
“Joey is just an elite pass rusher,” Mayfield said. “He’s somebody who you really need to know where he is. He’s a guy who can change a game. He has consistently done that throughout his career . ... Those are the types of guys you talk about being the gamewreckers.”
Myles Garrett update
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett sat out practice for the second time this week Friday, and Cleveland will likely list him as questionable for Sunday.
Garrett was granted a practice off to rest Wednesday, a Browns spokesman said. But when Garrett returned to practice Thursday on a limited basis, the team listed him with knee and ankle problems on its injury report. Then instead of participating in Friday’s practice, Garrett worked out under the guidance of the athletic training staff beside the field.