When the Chicago Bears take on the Cleveland Browns it will be a major test for a team on the rise. Chicago has played better with Justin Fields healthy, but the Browns are the best defense he will face all season, and they play much better at home. Still, there are some things going in the Bears favor, especially the injury report. While Chicago remains healthy, the Browns are losing multiple players.
What are the biggest injury situations impacting this game?
4. The Cleveland Browns are losing talent and depth on the offensive line
The Cleveland Browns came into the season with a well-known, highly-touted offensive line. Week-by-week it feels like that is slowly becoming a reputation and not the actual talent being displayed out there.
The Browns lost Jack Conklin, their starting right tackle, in week one. However, they drafted Dawand Jones, knowing that Conklin was older and had injuries in the past. In week 10, the Browns lost their left tackle, Jed Wills. This was more harmful because Gareon Christian had less pedigree and was not drafted to be a starter down the road like Jones was.
Still, with two backup tackles, the Browns have gotten by. This week, they lost Dawand Jones for the rest of the season. They also have a question with starting center Ethan Pocic who left their week 14 matchup after just eight snaps.
Pocic will be questionable to play in this game. James Hudson will start at right tackle, and Nick Harris may be the one starting at center. So, the offensive line that was a strength is down the second left tackle, second center, and third right tackle. With two backups coming in just this week, it may be too short of a timeline to gel.
The Chicago Bears, specifically Montez Sweat, should be licking his chops, knowing he finally has an easier matchup.