It's too early in the week for Browns coach Kevin Stefanski to know for certain who will be snapping the ball to quarterback Deshaun Watson when they play host to AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Starting center Ethan Pocic did not play in Sunday's 20-16 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles as he was recovering from a knee injury sustained the previous week against the Washington Commanders. Pocic's replacement, Nick Harris, suffered a broken fibula on the third offensive play of the loss in Philadelphia.
That left Michael Dunn, who started at right guard against the Eagles, to slide over to center for the remainder of the game. It was his first regular-season appearance at the position in his career.
"Ethan's getting better," Stefanski said on a Zoom call Monday. "We're going to have to see how that goes throughout this week and still need to sit with the coaches and determine what our plan is this week. We'll see. That'll really be day to day."
Dunn was just a week removed from being activated himself from the non-football illness list. He had missed a large percentage of training camp with the illness before being placed on the list on Aug. 27, only to finally be activated for the Commanders game.
The original plan against Philadelphia was to start Dunn at right guard in place of rookie Zak Zinter, who had struggled in two starts in place of injured Pro Bowler Wyatt Teller. Zinter came back in at right guard when Dunn moved to center.
"Mike did a nice job," Stefanski said. "Obviously played majority of guard throughout the week. He snaps for us every day, but it's not like he's getting the bulk of those reps. So that's just part of the life in the NFL, and certainly part of being a backup offensive lineman. Sometimes you're the first guard in, you're the first tackle in or you're the first, the second center, those type of things. Just understanding what your role is and where you may have to fill in."
According to Pro Football Focus, Dunn allowed three total pressures, including two sacks, against the Eagles. He also drew a costly holding penalty with 11 minutes remaining that negated a Watson run to the Philadelphia 13.
Running back Jerome Ford 'week to week' with hamstring injury
The Browns are expected to get running back Nick Chubb back this week after two weeks of ramping himself back up in practice after two knee surgeries last year. However, the back who filled in most for Chubb over the last year or so is battling his own injury.
Jerome Ford left Sunday's game in the first quarter with a hamstring injury. He ran the ball just two times for 14 yards before the injury, which occurred on the third Browns possession.
Stefanski said Monday Ford would likely be "week to week" as far as his status. He's rushed for a team-high 264 yards on 50 carries this season.
Safety Grant Delpit remains in concussion protocol
The Browns were down two starting safeties against the Eagles. Both Grant Delpit (concussion) and Ronnie Hickman (ankle) were ruled out for the game the previous Friday.
Stefanski didn't have many injury updates on Monday after the Philadelphia loss. However, he confirmed Delpit remains in concussion protocol for now.
Mohamoud Diabate has solid showing in return to field
Mohamoud Diabate started at one of the two linebacker spots against the Eagles. He had only been activated from the injured reserve the day before, where he had been due to a hip injury sustained in the opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
Diabate played 46 defensive snaps and finished with three solo and three assisted tackles. He also had a special-teams tackle.
"I felt great," Diabate said Monday. "Body felt great, mind felt great. Most importantly, spirit felt great. So I was excited to get out there and make some plays and look forward to correcting the mistakes and getting better and having an even better performance next Sunday."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns injury update: Ethan Pocic's status 'day to day' as Bengals week begins
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