Browns veteran already looks finished one month into 2025 season
It's no secret the Browns have had a massive issue at offensive tackle this season, as veteran Jack Conklin had an early absence following a Week 1 elbow injury, while Dawand Jones suffered a season-ending injury. As a result, swing tackle Cornelius Lucas was thrust into a full-time starting role basically from the jump. They have since acquired Cam Robinson and got Conklin back from injury, but the trade was more a result of not getting near the level of play they need from Lucas or KT Leveston.
Lucas is in his age-34 season, where he has mostly been the sixth offensive tackle who fills in during a pinch for an injured starter. While that was originally his job when he signed a two-year deal this offseason, he quickly became a starter with the injuries up front. Unfortunately, the once-steady veteran has not played like he did during the first 12 years of his career, putting up an abysmal start to his Cleveland tenure.
Cornelius Lucas struggled taking on a larger role than usual
Per PFF, Lucas is graded as the 97th-ranked offensive tackle out of 113 players with a 45 overall grade. He's put up a horrid 35.6 pass blocking grade on the 14th most pass blocking snaps of any tackle. PFF has credited Lucas with allowing 28 pressures in those snaps, including two sacks, which has led to his horrendous grade. No tackle in the NFL has allowed more pressures through five weeks than Lucas, and that's without him getting a single snap in Week 5.
The rest of the offense has undeniably had their issues as well - from apathetic play out of Joe Flacco, to receivers struggling to create consistent separation - but most of those issues could be partially hidden with better offensive tackle play. It's unfortunate they could not get better play out of Lucas, but perhaps more time learning the offense, along with some continuity, could better prepare him for the next time his number is called upon.
Considering Lucas is one of the few offensive linemen under contract in 2026, the Browns could really use him to get back on track to at least be a competent swing tackle option going forward.
Vikings Coach Gets Brutally Honest About $113 Million Star’s Absence
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell wasn’t thrilled when starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw was pulled at the start of the fourth quarter of a must-win game on Sunday.
Still reconditioning his body from a season-ending knee injury from last season, Darrisaw was on a pitch count and was sidelined with his team trailing in the final quarter against the Cleveland Browns. Walter Rouse stepped in for Darrisaw and helped Carson Wentz and the offense mount a 10-play, 80-yard game-winning drive.
But the team’s injuries early this season have proven difficult to navigate. O’Connell was candid after the game with a tongue-in-cheek response to navigating Darrisaw’s fluid availability this season.
Christian Darrisaw was part of a plan. We knew at some point, Christian, based upon the high snap count last week, we wanted to be smart with CD. [It] didn’t make it any easier, as far as having to navigate the end of the game there without one of the best left tackles in football,” O’Connell said in jest, “but I want to compliment CD and his willingness to continue to ramp up and be such a critical factor for our team.”
Darrisaw played all 76 offensive snaps in a Week 4 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, prompting the decision to have him on a pitch count against the Browns. He said he was “just listening to my body” when he was pulled, and that his body is still getting back into playing shape.
Darrisaw was still immensely impactful, helping hold Myles Garrett to a season-low two pressures despite three backups playing on the offensive line. He signed a four-year, $113 million deal in the 2024 offseason.
Vikings O-Line Facing Concerns as JJ McCarthy’s Return Nears
While Darrisaw will have the bye week to reset his body and hopefully be fully available moving forward, the Vikings offensive line is still on the mend.
Pro Bowl right tackle Brian O’Neill is week-to-week with an MCL injury. He missed last week and there has not been an update on his return to practice coming out of the Week 6 bye.
Meanwhile, starting center Ryan Kelly was placed on the injured reserve list after sustaining his second concussion in three weeks in Week 4. He will be unavailable until Week 10 at the earliest.
But there is some good news.
First-round rookie guard Donovan Jackson is expected to return to practice for a Week 7 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Jackson underwent wrist surgery after Week 3 but remains on the active roster.
The Vikings may still be down Kelly and O’Neill coming out of the bye, but Justin Skule and Blake Brandel filled in admirably last week against a vaunted Browns defense.
That’s a step forward for the offensive line that will need to bring its A-game to help J.J. McCarthy, who could take over as starter coming out of the bye.
JJ McCarthy Expected to Return to Practice Ahead of Eagles Game
On Monday, O’Connell announced that McCarthy would return to practice next week and would also get some work during the bye week after missing the past three games with a high ankle sprain.
This is a significant step toward McCarthy returning as the team’s starting quarterback.
He will have his work cut out for him if he does return for a Week 7 matchup against a ferocious Eagles defensive front.
