Things are about to get even more difficult for the Cleveland Browns this season after they lost starting center Nick Harris to a knee injury that will likely end his season.
Harris sustained the injury during Friday’s preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Ethan Pocic was Harris’ replacement on Friday, but could find himself pressed into action after Dawson Deaton tore his ACL in practice Monday. That leaves only Pocic and undrafted free agent Brock Hoffman as the team’s last two options.
Whether the Browns look into re-signing JC Tretter, their starter for the last five seasons at the position, remains to be seen, but Tretter is the best available option at this point. The team released him as part of a cost-cutting move back in March. Pocic was a second round pick by the Seahawks in 2017, starting 40 of the 57 games he played in. With continued uncertainty surrounding the Browns starting quarterback spot, adding the starting center to that list is certainly less than ideal.
Until a solution on both fronts is reached, the Browns offense should be downgraded in fantasy drafts, while bettors should avoid the team until we get some clarity.