Browns Center Ethan Pocic Goes to Locker Room
Early in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns center Ethan Pocic went back to the locker room with trainers. According to the team, it's a chest injury and he's labeled as questionable to return.
The Browns already have a backup quarterback in Dorian Thompson-Robinson and now they will have their backup center in Nick Harris. Neither is ideal and DTR struggled in the first quarter, making some preposterous decisions, one of which gave the ball to the Ravens right on the Browns doorstep. The Ravens capitalized with a touchdown.
Pocic had an excellent 2022 season, which earned him an extension. His start to 2023 hasn't been as good, but the interior along with their two guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller is supposed to be the strength of the offensive line. In a game where the rookie quarterback needs all the help he can get, the Browns will want to find success running the ball.
The Browns are already without Jack Conklin, their starting right tackle for the season. He is replaced by Dawand Jones, who is an effective pass blocker, but hasn't offered much against the run.
Harris is in his fourth season, all with the Browns. He knows the system and offers more mobility than Pocic. He's just not as stout at the point of attack, which could pose a problem against the Ravens hefty defensive tackles. With Pocic questionable, the Browns may have to go the rest of the way with Harris.
The Browns will have their bye week after this game, so if Pocic out of action, he may have time to recover before the team hosts the San Francisco 49ers in week 6.
UPDATE: Ethan Pocic returned for the start of the second half. He would immediately go back to the medical tent on the first play.
