The Browns' offensive line has faced some adversity with injuries through the first few weeks of the season.
RT Jack Conklin has battled through an elbow injury that caused him to miss Week 2 and Week 3 of the season. He is considered day to day as he progresses back from the injury and was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. The Browns then experienced a big loss to their offensive line as T Dawand Jones is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury that required surgery.
Following the injury, the Browns signed T Thayer Munford Jr. to the active roster to provide more depth at the tackle position. Munford joins a unit that features veteran player Cornelius Lucas and second-year player KT Leveston.
"Obviously him being right down the road, studied him a good bit," head coach Kevin Stefanski said of Munford. "He has a lot of experience playing in this league. So, he's a guy that we feel like can add to this group and see how it shakes up."
They have handled the weekly changes, finding the best way to fill the spots at tackle. Lucas started at right tackle in Week 2 when Conklin was ruled out while Leveston saw game action against the Ravens. Lucas then started Week 3 against the Packers on the left side, while Leveston stepped in to fill in at right tackle in Week 3. Now, the Browns are working to build a new level of continuity among the offensive line as they fill the role left behind by Jones for the remainder of the season.
As Lucas and Leveston could step into larger roles, C Ethan Pocic highlighted Leveston's run blocking and his strength as assets of his skillset as a young player who continues to grow. For Lucas, Pocic said his veteran presence adds another layer of experience to the offensive line.
"He's sharp. He knows what he's doing," Pocic said. "He did great job out there for us. So, next man up mentality and we really like our room."
And Lucas is prepared for however his role shakes out. In 12 seasons, Lucas has played in 132 games with 56 starts and is relying on his past experiences of stepping into larger roles and starting jobs. He said he used training camp to learn the playbook and how the offense worked, getting a feel for the Browns' offensive scheme. As he takes to the practice field during the week leading up to Week 4 against the Lions, Lucas said those practices are an extension of the work he put in during OTAs and training camp.
That work during the week will help build consistency among the offensive line. And offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren wants his unit to find a level of continuity in order to operate in the necessary manner during games.
"Continuity of that position, in particular that position group, where you need five guys to see the game through one set of eyes, continuity is ideal. It's what we all want," Bloomgren said on Sept. 19. "But we also know the reality of the National Football League. It's going to be next man up, and ideal situations don't always play out. It's not ideal, but we also train people who are professional football players that should be able to step in there and get it right."
While they work to establish new level of continuity following Jones' injury, Bloomgren said Pocic plays a critical role in the communication among the offensive line. Pocic is in his fourth season with the Browns and has served as the starting center for the offensive line.
"When you talk about what Ethan Pocic does, by giving us clear points and clear understanding to make sure we are seeing the game through one set of eyes, and that's his," Bloomgren said. "And the communication between Joel Bitonio and the tackle and Wyatt Teller and the tackle, those things, like, whoever's in there, those three vets are doing such a good job getting us on the same page."
Pocic is flanked by two veterans in Bitonio and Teller, and the three have played together as a trio since Pocic joined the Browns in 2022 – with Bitonio and Teller playing with one another since 2019. Over their four seasons together, the three have developed different ways that they communicate information to one another and have learned one another's tendencies.
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 4 matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
The team during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
The team during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
The team during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (64) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning/Sports Science Coach Josh Christovich during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Stephen Bravo-Brown during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
The team during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) and Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver DeAndre Carter (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Bill Willis Diversity Fellow Michael Bearden during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Ben Wilkerson during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Coordinator of Coaching Logistics Jacqueline Roberts during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Offensive Line Coach Mike Bloomgren during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Director of Player Development and Strength and Conditioning Carson Walch during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Offensive Line Coach Mike Bloomgren during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Lynch during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Lynch during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Director of Equipment Operations Kory Gillissie during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Offensive Assistant/Offensive Line Coach Sanders Davis during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Their communication is important while they work through the tackle situation and establish that consistency, as Bitonio said he, Teller and Pocic must keep the pocket firm and know their assignments so the tackles – as the bookends of the offensive line – can also keep their assignments.
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees sees their level of communication as "seamless," and one that is beneficial to the offensive line as a unit. He also views Lucas' veteran experience as a trait that will translate easily into a larger role with the offensive line.
"I think the confidence that Joel can give those guys, the confidence that Wyatt can give those guys by playing next to them, communicating, they know the offense in and out, so they're able to kind of breed some confidence into those young players, just because they can communicate so much easier," Rees said. "And then as you build a continuity with that group, you hope it becomes seamless, right? Like, you look at lines that can play together, if they stay healthy, or if they're together for a long time, usually that group of five can kind of feel each other in a way that passing off games, communicating different looks, that becomes very seamless for them."
And as Lucas plays alongside them more, he knows he will learn those different techniques and calls they use as a unit – all in an effort to build continuity.
"Being with a group that's been together for so long, there's value in continuity. And so just having that be the standard, it's easy to hang your hat on that and figure out where you fit at in that puzzle," Lucas said. "It comes with time, playing alongside them, hearing the calls, seeing the plays, see how they interact on a day-to-day basis. We're with each other all the time. You learn something new about everybody each day."
