Friday Injury Report Might Provide Some Hope for Browns, Bears in Good Shape

The Friday injury report provided some clarity for the Cleveland Browns as they ruled four players out. They could get some help back for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. For their part, the Bears look healthy.

The final injury report ahead of the game between the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears has mixed news from a Browns perspective. The team has already ruled out a handful of players, including some they were hoping to get back. However, there is also a chance that defensive tackle Jordan Elliott could participate in this game in the event he clears concussion protocol.

The bad news is the Browns will be without center Ethan Pocic, edge rusher Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, safety Juan Thornhill and linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk. Thornhill and Okoronkwo are not a surprise even if the team was hoping for a different result. However, the stinger that forced Pocic out of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars has lingered all week, preventing him to return to the lineup. Kunaszyk suffered a calf injury this week, which cause him to miss the game.

Pocic being out means Nick Harris will once again be the team’s center. Against the Jaguars, the Browns used Harrison Bryant as a fullback in spots. With a full week of practice, they may have put another lineman back there. If not, they will likely roll with Bryant, who has become a utility player in a number of spots. The Browns will likely use Duron Harmon to plug the hole at safety left by both Thornhill and Grant Delpit. Ronnie Hickman had a solid if unspectacular performance against the Jaguars. With Okoronkwo out, the Browns could look to rookie Isaiah McGuire to have a larger workload among a range of possibilities.

Jordan Elliott has been in the concussion protocol, but has progressed to a point where he was able to get on the practice field Friday. He’s questionable because he still has hurdles to clear, but if he’s able to go, that would give the Browns another option on their defensive line. Rookie Siaki Ika could be primed for his first action of the season depending on Elliott’s situation.

Running back Pierre Strong was back on the practice field after missing Thursday with an illness. He’s good to go for Sunday. The same is true for left guard Joel Bitonio and tight end David Njoku, who both only practice on Friday this week. Both linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. and corner Denzel Ward are both questionable. Ward practiced all week, though limited with his shoulder. Walker is dealing with a knee injury.