The Browns' offensive line will be facing one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL when they take the field against the Titans in Week 7, according to T Tytus Howard.
Through the first six games this season, Titans DT Jeffery Simmons is tied for 10th in the NFL with four sacks and leads the Titans' defense with six tackles for loss. His 83.4 overall PFF grade ranks third amongst 129 interior defensive linemen in the league. Heading into their first of three straight road games on Oct. 25, the Browns' offensive line is preparing to combat Simmons' versatility.
"He has no weaknesses in his game," Howard said. "He's quick, he's got power and plays the run."
Simmons, whose role has changed in new head coach Robert Saleh's attack-style front four, occasionally shifts technique and alignment on the interior of the Titans' defensive line. The Browns' offensive line recognizes that versatility as a strength of Simmons' game, and one they are preparing for as the game approaches.
"He's a good player, very technically sound. (There are) a lot of things that he's good at, from a run game and pass rush standpoint," G Zion Johnson said. "You always have to be aware of the structure of the defense to see what kind of tells you get. For us, our focus is on that technique and making sure that we're ready each play and that we're under control."
Before being traded to the Browns in March, Howard spent seven seasons with the Texans, where he faced Simmons nine times. As the Browns prepare to go against Simmons, Howard has shared with the rest of the Browns' offensive line room about what he learned during those matchups.
"My biggest thing I tell the guys is don't get back and let him attack you," Howard said. "You have to bring it to him and don't back down because he's looking for guys to back down. How he plays, you just have to stand ten toes (down)."
As an interior rusher, Simmons' pass rushing ability puts a distinct amount of pressure on opposing guards. Simmons ranks fifth in the league amongst interior defensive linemen with 21 total pressures this season per PFF.
With Simmons frequently changing which defensive tackle position he lines up at, both G Austin Barber and Johnson figure to match up against him. Barber, who is starting his seventh game in the NFL at guard after playing tackle at the University of Florida, is aiming to apply what he's learned so far to the matchup.
"Go out there and trust your technique and try and do what you've been doing for the whole season," Barber said. "Trust your technique and trust the guys around you to help."
A player of Simmons' caliber on the interior doesn't just make individual matchups on the offensive line difficult, though. Offensive coordinator Travis Switzer noted that effective interior defensive lineman like Simmons pose unique challenges to opposing offenses. Unlike edge rushers, defensive tackles are difficult to chip, which can make them harder to game plan against when it comes to developing blocking schemes.
"It all starts, whether it's an interior guy or an edge guy, how consistently does he line up in one spot?" Switzer said. "That's part of it. If it's an edge guy, a lot of times it's easier to chip. You just line somebody up over there and you chip if you know where he's going to be. Interiorly, it can be a little bit more difficult. Can you chip an inside guy? Yes. Can you turn the protection? Yeah. But then there's layers to that, right? I mean, you have to account for all the pressures and things you may see where you're not going to be able to turn to them. So, there's a lot of layers. I think in a lot of ways an inside guy can be a little bit more difficult to scheme for as far as the protection goes."
Facing Simmons and the Titans' defensive line will present another test for Cleveland's overhauled unit. The Browns' offensive line, which added all five starters during the offseason, is focused on continuing to grow alongside one another as the midway part of the regular season approaches.
"The longer that you stick together and play together, the longer that we'll gel and mesh," Barber said. "It's just (about) getting reps with each other that helps."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 7 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (0) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) and Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (28) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Jaleel McLaughlin (38) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Rutenberg during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Obinna Eze (68) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (0) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Sam Williams (54) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Andrew Coker (62) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Carsen Ryan (48) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The scenery during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Assistant Special Teams Coach Keith Tandy during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end John FitzPatrick (87) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) and Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Logan Fano (99) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Khordae Sydnor (90) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Michael Coats Jr. (39) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (0) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. (35) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
A helmet during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Quality Control Coach Ian Kolste and Safety Zion Washington (30) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Zion Logue (69) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Eric Johnson II (67) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Quality Control Coach Ian Kolste during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Andrew Coker (62) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Dale Jones during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Derek Barnett (97) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Logan Fano (99) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Fullback Michael Burton (34) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
A helmet during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (0) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The defense during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Eric Johnson II (67) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head of Athlete Health and Performance Dustin Nabhan during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Derek Barnett (97) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Zion Logue (69) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Zion Washington (30) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (28) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Eric Johnson II (67) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Assistant Special Teams Coach Keith Tandy during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (19) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (28) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Assistant Defensive Line Coach Ralph Street during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
A football during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Eric Johnson II (67) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Taylen Green (15) and Center Parker Brailsford (52) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Eric Johnson II (67) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety John Saunders (27) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. (35) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Eric Johnson II (67) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Skill Development Analyst Demetric Felton during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Zion Washington (30) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Eric Johnson II (67) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken and Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety John Saunders (27) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Logan Fano (99) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Senior Director of Player Development James Cook during practice on October 21, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Eric Johnson II (67) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on October 22, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
