Cleveland Browns star offensive lineman misses practice on Wednesday

The Cleveland Browns are up for a tall task on Sunday when they host Micah Parsons and the Green Bay Packers.

That game could be even more difficult if they’re without their starting left guard, Joel Bitonio, who missed practice on Wednesday with a back injury.

Bitonio and return specialist Deandre Carter (concussion protocol) were the only two players who did not practice on Wednesday due to injury, according to the team’s injury report.

Bitonio will have an opportunity to practice on Thursday and participate in the team’s walk through on Friday before the Browns will make a determination on his game status to face the Packers.

The Browns are 0-2 and their offense has looked shaky at best, unable to eclipse 20 points in either game this season. The offensive line has been unable to get the run game going, and while Joe Flacco mostly has adequate time in the pocket, there have been plenty of hits along the way.

Subtracting Bitonio from that equation will only make it harder to slow down Micah Parsons, who has made an immediate impact on Green Bay’s defense since being acquired from the Dallas Cowboys before the season.

Green Bay’s new, 26 year-old pass rusher out of Penn State already has 1.5 sacks this season. Flacco has been sacked four times this season. But it’s the inability to run the football that could pose an even bigger issue.

While rookie running back Quinshon Judkins felt like a bright spot for the Browns during their loss in Baltimore, the rookie is still easing into the offense, getting just 10 carries for 61 yards. In just four carries, fellow rookie Dylan Sampson only mustered six yards.

Bitonio, 33, contemplated walking away from the NFL after last season’s three-win debacle. However, the 2014 second-rounder told the BIGPLAY Sports Network in an exclusive interview that he felt like he could physically play one more season.

“I want to play meaningful games in December and January,” Bitonio said before the season.

Cleveland Browns football is one week away 🚨

"I want to play meaningful games in December and January."

-@JoelBitonio to @NickPedone12 about what would make this season successful

Watch the full interview on the @BIGPLAY YouTube here ➡️ https://t.co/m6fBk9NWGx pic.twitter.com/yUMqXWzYug
— BIGPLAY (@BIGPLAY) August 31, 2025

Bitonio’s availability at practice will certainly be a situation to monitor on Thursday and Friday as the Browns finalize their preparation for the Packers. The 12-year veteran has been incredibly available during his career with the Browns. He started all 17 games last year, only missed two games in 2023 and has started every other game since 2016.

If he can get back on the practice field at some point, the veteran could potentially be able to give it a go on Sunday – and the Browns will certainly need him.