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Chargers-Browns Week 9 injury wrap-up: Who starts at left tackle for Cleveland?

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Cleveland Browns v Washington Commanders
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Is it Jedrick Wills or Dawand Jones?

Here is your Week 9 injury wrap-up as the Cleveland Browns take on the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday.

Biggest Injury Storylines

  • Even though Cleveland didn’t have a big commitment to the run early this season, prior to missing nearly three games to injury, Jerome Ford was still averaging 5.3 YPC. I assume that Ford will be the backup to Nick Chubb, but this is the first time this season that all four running backs have been healthy for the Browns.
  • The biggest storyline will be what happens at left tackle this week. Dawand Jones, who previously struggled at right tackle, had a nice debut at left tackle against the Ravens. But now, Jedrick Wills was a full participant in Friday’s practice and is ready to return. Who will start and who will see the bench?
  • Joel Bitonio isn’t listed on the injury report, but he did miss practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a foot injury. He’ll likely be tested on gameday to ensure he is good-to-go.
  • On defense, both Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Jordan Hicks are out. Expect Devin Bush, Mohamoud Diabate, and Winston Reid to play the linebacker position.
  • Cornerback Denzel Ward didn’t practice on Wednesday and Thursday, as he was in the concussion protocol. He cleared a hurdle on Friday by returning to practice, and now it looks like he cleared that final hurdle to be active for Sunday:

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  • The Chargers will be without starting CB Kristian Fulton. Also on defense, LB Joey Bosa is listed as questionable. Bosa returned in Week 8 and played 20 snaps, but his hip is still bothering him. We’ll see if he’s limited, or if he even plays, against the Browns.

Betting Odds Impact

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Browns are 1.5 point underdogs against the Chargers. The Browns began the week as slightly larger underdogs, but injuries don’t appear to have impacted the line.

Fantasy Implications

  • The Browns’ offense is as close to full strength as it can get. Fantasy values are more dependent on Jameis Winston’s spark as opposed to injury updates. With that said, if you’re a Jerome Ford owner, I wouldn’t play him because we don’t know to what degree he’ll see reps behind Nick Chubb.
  • The Chargers’ safety situation is solid, but they should play two rookie cornerbacks, which could again play to the advantage of Winston and the wide receivers.