When the Cleveland Browns open up their 2020 season against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, they'll do so with one of the key cogs of their offensive line. Prior to kickoff, the Browns announced that JC Tretter will, in fact, start against the Ravens in the team's Week 1 matchup.
Now in his fourth season with the Browns, Tretter failed to practice for the majority of the team's training camp after undergoing a knee procedure on Aug. 13. Tretter, however, returned to practice ahead of Sunday's opener against Baltimore, increasing confidence that he would be able to ultimately play.
Had Tretter been unable to play against the Ravens, Cleveland would have likely started rookie Nick Harris, who was selected out of Washington in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Instead, Tretter will be there to help anchor the Browns' interior offensive line against a Baltimore defense that features nose tackle Brandon Williams and defensive end Calais Campbell.
While Tretter will get the start ahead Harris for the Browns on Sunday, another Cleveland rookie will find himself on the field early and often in his NFL career. With linebacker Mack Wilson inactive on Sunday due to a hyperextended knee, 2020 third-round pick Jordan Phillips will get the start for the Browns at WILL linebacker.
In addition to Wilson, cornerback Greedy Williams will miss Cleveland's opener due to a shoulder injury. Defensive back M.J. Stewart, however, is active and will play.
Cleveland's complete list of inactive players against Baltimore is as follows:
- WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
- CB Greedy Williams
- CB Kevin Johnson
- LB Mack Wilson
- OL Chris Hubbard
- DE Joe Jackson
Follow all of the latest action from Sunday's season opener between the Browns and Ravens with our live blog.