The Cowboys pass rush might have a weakness to exploit on the Browns
One of the big stories going into the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns game this week concerned the left tackle position. Mainly folks were wondering how Cowboys rookie Tyler Guyton would hold up against Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, or his partner Za’Darius Smith. While Guyton, a first-round draft pick in 2024 has looked fantastic in training camp and the little bit of preseason he played, he is still a rookie and a real NFL game is like nothing else.
It was a foregone conclusion that the Browns defense would try to isolate Guyton in the pass rush and take advantage. But as it turns out, the Cowboys may be up to some of that, too. Micah Parsons is every bit the equal of Garrett in the pass rush department, and he may be lining up against a backup on Sunday.
The Browns were hoping to have starting left tackle Jedrick Wills back on Sunday, but he missed practice on Thursday due to injury and told reporters that he would not be starting on Sunday.
“I’m not starting this week,” Wills said on Wednesday, via Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan. “I’m just going out there for individual [drills]. Just seeing how it feels and get back into things.”
Wills is coming back from MCL surgery. Head coach Kevin Stefnaski had mentioned the possibility of Wills playing this week. But it sounds like if that were to happen, it would be on some sort of rotational basis.
The Browns are also having issues with their starting right tackle, Jack Conklin, as he too shows up on the injury report.
No Jedrick Wills Jr. today at practice. Jack Conklin has been limited last 2 days during portion open to reporters which could open the door for James Hudson #Browns
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) September 5, 2024
It looks like they will not be playing Wills, and another report had Conklin only doing individual drills and being basically a spectator on Wednesday. The Browns offensive line could be down their two best tackles on Sunday.
Part of the reason the Cowboys are 2.5-point (FanDuel) underdogs to the Browns is the rookies on the offensive line, especially Guyton who will have to deal with Garrett. But Micah Parsons unleashed against backup tackles, along with DeMarcus Lawrence, would be a huge advantage for the Cowboys defense. Keep an eye on this as Friday’s injury report comes out.
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