Browns Announce New Tackle Days After Kevin Stefanski Confirmed Dawand Jones’ Injury

A couple of years ago, the Browns lost Jack Conklin to a season-ending injury, and that opened the door for then-rookie Dawand Jones. The 2023 fourth-rounder ended up starting nine of the next eleven games and looked like a long-term piece up front before going down with a knee injury in December 2023.

Fast forward to now, and it feels like Kevin Stefanski and his crew are right back where they started. Only this time, it’s Jones himself who’s done for the year. The Browns are left scrambling again as they’re already bringing in another tackle ahead of their Week 4 matchup with the Lions.

On Wednesday, September 24, they signed Thayer Munford Jr. from the Patriots‘ practice squad. A former seventh-rounder of the 2022 NFL draft, Munford Jr. is in his fourth season out of Ohio State. Originally drafted by the Raiders, the 26-year-old tackle has started 18 games (with the Raiders from 2022-24) in 46 games that he has appeared in.

As for his 2024 season, Munford Jr. spent it on the Patriots’ practice squad. The Browns’ decision to sign a new tackle was palpable. As things stand, Cleveland’s offensive line is marred by injuries. Besides Jones, Conklin has also been sidelined due to an elbow injury. The veteran tackle has already missed a couple of games this season. As for his return timeline? It’s still in limbo.

Meanwhile, Munford Jr.’s deal actually makes it the Browns’ second signing in just a few hours. Earlier, they added wideout Luke Floriea to the practice squad and let go of defensive end K.J. Henry. Still, with Jones sidelined, the real question is whether Kevin Stefanski throws Munford Jr. straight into the starting mix.

Kevin Stefanski’s OT is out for the remainder of the season

It took the Browns a full 60 minutes to finally grab their first win of the season against the Packers. And to make things trickier, their OT Dawand Jones was out for most of the game. Jones went down with a knee injury early in the first quarter against Green Bay and missed the whole game.

Further reports confirmed that Cleveland will move ahead for the rest of the season without Jones lining up front.  Before the season-ending injury, Jones suited up for all three games this season and played both right and left tackle. “Disappointing for the young man. He’ll battle back. He’ll rehab, and he’ll be ready to go, but disappointed for him,” Stefanski addressed Jones’ season-ending injury.

“Obviously a young player that was getting better. He played right tackle in the last game for those plays before he was injured, but he’s played on both sides of the ball. Disappointed overall for the young man, but he’s somebody that will continue to work, and now he’s just going to have to focus on his rehab.”

Amidst Jones and Conklin’s injuries, Cornelius Lucas started Week 3 on the left side, while KT Leveston started at right tackle. And ahead of Week 4, we’ll see how Kevin Stefanski will work through his starting tackle spots.