INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The injury bug continues to hit the Cleveland Browns, and this week, it has affected a key member of their front seven.
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has been listed as inactive for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers after suffering an unspecified elbow injury. The 28-year-old saw only limited action in this past Friday's practice and had previously been listed as "questionable."
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After enduring one of the worst seasons of his career in 2020, the former No. 1 overall draft pick Clowney has undergone a renaissance in his first year with the Browns, recording three tackles for loss and two sacks in four games. He was previously a three-time Pro Bowler with the Houston Texans (career-high 9 1/2 sacks in 2017) and also spent time with the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans.
Takkarist McKinley, another former first-round pick and newcomer to Cleveland, will start in Clowney's place. The 25-year-old was considered somewhat of a bust with the Atlanta Falcons, but so far in 2021 has nine total tackles and 1 1/2 sacks.
In addition to Clowney, left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. will miss his first game of the year due to an ankle injury originally suffered in Week 1. Blake Hance — who made his NFL debut as "a guy named Blake" during last year's playoffs — will start on the blindside, jumping rookie James Hudson III on the depth chart. Chris Hubbard, the Browns' normal top backup on the offensive line, is expected to miss the remainder of the season after hurting his triceps.
In other notes, rookie first-round pick Greg Newsome II will miss his second straight game due to a calf injury, with Greedy Williams starting for him at the second cornerback spot. On the flip side, linebacker Anthony Walker has been activated from injured reserved and will play.
As most know by now, quarterback Baker Mayfield apparently suffered a torn labrum in Week 2, but has kept playing and has not been listed on the injury report of late due to him taking all reps in practice. Besides the previously mentioned names, safety Richard LeCounte III, linebacker Tony Fields II, and defensive tackle Tommy Togiai are all inactive today.