Browns OT Jack Conklin ‘ready to roll’ for Steelers game Sunday

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BEREA, Ohio -- After missing the last two games, Browns starting right tackle Jack Conklin is “ready to roll” ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium.

“I’m back, yep,” Conklin said ahead of Wednesday’s practice. “Much better, bummed to miss two games like that, but happy to be back and healthy and I’m ready to roll.”

The All-Pro tackle injured his knee against the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 10 and missed the following two games against the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos. This season, Conklin’s played 330 snaps and has a 82.8 player grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

To try and make the most of his time sitting on the sidelines, Conklin said he would go through mental reps as if he were out on the field.

“I wanna be on point and everything and just try to be able to help as much as I can with the guys that are out there,” he said. “It’s tough. It sucks being out when you’re out there and you know you’re not going to be a part of it. It’s brutal. I’m happy the guys are able to step in and do a good job with me out. I’m excited to be back.”

Conklin was replaced by fourth-round pick James Hudson III after exiting the Chargers game. The rookie also got the starting nod versus the Cardinals.

This season, Conklin’s played 330 snaps and has a 82.8 player grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

Against the Broncos on Thursday, Blake Hance started in place of Conklin. Hance had filled in for an injured Jedrick Wills at left tackle against the Chargers and Cardinals in Weeks 5 and 6. When Wills returned from his ankle injury for the Denver game, Hance slid down the line to fill Conklin’s spot.

Conklin said he had an open door policy with Hance.

“I was trying to help him, and during the game I tried to keep my eyes on him and help him with little things here and there,” Conklin said. “Blake, he was great. He would ask questions and he’s a real smart guy. He was on it. He knows what he’s got to do and it was great to see him able to come in and play well. ... I see myself as a leader on the team, I see it as my job to -- if I’m not out there to be able to go to him, to help him, ask him when he needs help, and I think that’s really important.”

The Browns haven’t had all five of their starting offensive linemen -- Conklin, Wills, Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller and JC Tretter -- start together since Oct. 3 at Minnesota.

Reuniting the starters would be extra important should quarterback Baker Mayfield attempt to play against Pittsburgh. On Wednesday, Mayfield said that him playing this week is “absolutely” a possibility despite his injured left shoulder. Mayfield practiced on Wednesday, and spent the portion of practice open to the media throwing mostly short and intermediate routes. The practice plan for the day included him taking most of the first-team reps.

But regardless of whether Mayfield plays, having Conklin back would be a big boost up front to the offense as a whole.

“As you know, it is so important those five playing together and the communication that occurs along that front,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “The guys that who have gone in have really stepped up and done a great job for us, but Jack is an integral part of our run attack and our pass attack so it would be great to have him back out there.”

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