Browns OT Jack Conklin carted off field vs. Bengals, OUT with knee injury
Tough news for the Browns in the first half of their game against the Bengals as starting right tackle Jack Conklin had to be carted off the field.
Following a second down play for Cleveland, Conklin remained on the ground writhing in pain. Of course, trainers rushed over to treat him, and after a few minutes, they deemed a cart would be required. Conklin was then loaded up and driven off the field for the time being.
A few minutes after he went back into the locker room, the CBS broadcast alerted the audience that Conklin would be out for the rest of the game with a knee injury.
Without Conklin, the Browns OL unit obviously takes a big hit. But luckily, Cleveland recently invested one of their premium draft picks up front, selecting a mammoth of a tackle last spring in Dawand Jones. When Conklin went out, Jones stepped right in, at least for the time being. And judging by Conklin’s reaction and the requirement of a motorized exit off the field, he very well may be out for some time, perhaps even the season. So, Jones will be a prominent piece of this OL in year one.
Conklin inked new deal last December
Jack Conklin, a two-time All-Pro right tackle, is a much richer man today than he was in previous seasons. That’s because Conklin has signed a new contract with the Cleveland Browns last December, amidst the third and final year of his prior contract.
Adam Schefter, who spoke with Conklin’s agent Drew Rosenhaus, reported the deal was worth $60 million over the course of the next four years. $31 million of those dollars will be fully guaranteed.
Conklin was the eighth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft after four seasons at Michigan State. He left East Lansing as an All-American offensive lineman. Conklin spent the first four seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. He then signed a three-year, $42 million deal to join Cleveland back in 2020.
Conklin has started all 34 of the career games that he has played for the Browns so far. He only saw seven games of action in 2021, though, due to a torn patella tendon. However, he has come back to play in 12 of Cleveland’s 14 games this season and felt better than ever. That’s why he and the franchise must feel ecstatic to have him locked up there moving forward.