Browns Get Bad News on Injury Status of All-Pro Starter
The Cleveland Browns could be without All-Pro guard Joel Bitonio when the team hosts the Green Bay Packers in Week 3.
Bitonio has been dealing with a back injury, and he didn’t practice on Sept. 19, meaning he didn’t practice all week. Given that he didn’t practice, his availability for the game is up in the air as he’s listed as questionable on the injury report.
Bitonio said the back injury is similar to what he has experienced in the past. So he’s hopeful he will be able to play through it.
“I got full speed in the game there and it locked up on me a little bit but I’m working through it So, it’s a little bit better today than it was yesterday, so it’s (an) improvement,” Bitonio said on Sept. 18 18. “The hardest part is you don’t know when it’s going to pop up. But once it does happen, I do know what has helped it in the past, and now you’re just hoping that the 48 hours and stuff will get through it.”
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, meanwhile, says Bitonio is ‘progressing’ but his game status remains in the air. But, the coach is confident the veteran can play on Sunday if he’s healthy enough, despite not practicing all week.
Bitonio is a two-time first-team All-Pro and the Browns’ starting left guard.
Who Would Replace Bitonio if he’s Injured?
Although Cleveland is holding out hope that Bitonio can play, the Browns are prepared if he isn’t in the lineup against the Packers.
Should Bitonio be inactive, Cleveland will start Teven Jenkins at left guard. Jenkins was a second-round pick in 2021 by the Chicago Bears, and Browns offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren is confident in Jenkins.
“Teven’s gotten better and better every week. We’ve had a chance to work with him. You go back to the first preseason game. I didn’t think he performed anywhere near he was capable of. And he’s built on those performances, and he’s continued to grow,” Bloomgren said. “I think myself and other coaches in the room have a lot of confidence in Teven, if he is the one out there. The experience he had in Chicago (Bears), whether it was playing tackle or playing guard, this is a guy that’s played a lot of football in this league and played good football. We certainly would expect him to do the same.”
Jenkins has started 38 games in the NFL. So, he has plenty of experience, should Bitonio not play.
Browns OL Coach Confident Bitonio Will Play
Although Bloomgren is confident in Jenkins, he remains confident that Bitonio will play on Sunday.
Bloomgren believes that if Bitonio can walk, he will do whatever it takes to take the field on Sunday.
“But I’m going to be right there with you on Joel. I think Joel’s playing as good a football as anybody in the National Football League at the guard position,” Bloomgren said. “I think Wyatt’s really close behind him. So, I love what those guards are doing, and we certainly want them out there. We want Teven to have whatever role we can get for him. But at the end of the day, I believe this in my core, Joel is like the modern gladiator. If he can walk, I believe he’ll play on Sunday, and I appreciate that so much.”
Bitonio has started 161 games in his career.
Vikings Make Unfortunate QB Announcement Before Facing Bengals
In Week 3 of his second NFL season, J.J. McCarthy finds himself in an unfortunately familiar position with the Minnesota Vikings: injured. On Friday, the Vikings made their final decision on the former No. 10 pick ahead of their tilt against the Cincinnati Bengals.
McCarthy missed his rookie season with a torn meniscus that he suffered in the Vikings’ 2024 preseason opener.
Now, after two starts, McCarthy is set to miss at least the next two games, if not more.
J.J. McCarthy Officially Ruled Out For Vikings-Bengals
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Atlanta Falcons.
McCarthy suffered an ankle injury in the Vikings’ Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, finishing the contest and reporting discomfort in the aftermath. The Vikings did not place him on injured reserve, which means he does not have to miss four games.
That is a potentially good sign about the youngster’s recovery. The Vikings and head coach Kevin O’Connell could take a cautious approach, though, given his history.
He will not play or even suit up on Sunday against the Bengals, though.
We've seen quarterbacks play through mild high ankle sprains. J.J. McCarthy will not play this week, not because he can't, but because Kevin O'Connell is playing it smart with his rookie QB. pic.twitter.com/sU7li6stSy
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) September 19, 2025
McCarthy has thrown for 301 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions on 58.5% completion this season. In his stead, the Vikings are starting former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, who was the No. 2 pick in the 2016 draft.
Wentz will have less than one month with the Vikings when he takes his first historic snap as the starter against the Bengals, and he noted the lessons he has learned that could help him.
But McCarthy is not the only absence Minnesota must account for, either.
Vikings Rule Out 2 More Players
GettyFormer Indianapolis Colts C Ryan Kelly #78 looks on against the Detroit Lions.
In addition to McCarthy, the Vikings also ruled out starting center Ryan Kelly and backup-turned-starting offensive tackle Justin Skule.
Kelly signed a two-year, $18 million contract, joining his former Indianapolis Colts teammate and fellow 2025 free agent Will Fries on a revamped offensive line for the Vikings. His history of concussions has garnered renewed attention amid his latest bout.
Skule has filled in at left tackle for the first two games in place of Christian Darrisaw.
That means the Vikings will be without their starting QB (McCarthy), center (Kelly), and fill-in LT1 (Skule), and they are not exactly out of the woods elsewhere on the roster.
Andrew Van Ginkel, Christian Darrisaw, Harrison Smith Among Question Marks
GettyVeteran safety Harrison Smith will not play in the Vikings 2025 season opener.
Fortunately for the Vikings, even with McCarthy out, Darrisaw could make his 2025 debut after missing the first two games recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season. A former first-round pick in the 2021 draft, his return would alleviate concerns about Wentz’s blindside.
He will already have a rookie in Donovan Jackson at left guard and a backup as his batterymate at center. Moreover, the Vikings could be without a pair of defensive starters, too.
Andrew Van Ginkel and Harrison Smith are both questionable for the tilt against the Bengals.
The Bengals, who will be without their starting QB, Joe Burrow, are catching a break. Van Ginkel, who missed the loss to the Falcons, and Smith, who has yet to take the field this season, are Pro Bowlers who will miss the contest.
The Vikings are banged up early, and they must overcome that to keep themselves afloat until they can get healthier and continue with their playoff aspirations.
