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Browns' Jack Conklin, Kareem Hunt ready to play in Baltimore; Conklin agrees his quick comeback miraculous

Nate Ulrich
Akron Beacon Journal

BEREA — Jack Conklin agreed with a reporter who used the word “miraculous” to describe the All-Pro right tackle returning quickly from a dislocated left elbow.

"Yes, that's for sure," Conklin said after Friday's practice.

Conklin was worried his 2021 season had ended.

“When you're on the ground and your arm's facing the opposite direction,” he said, “it's a little nerve-racking.”

Coach Kevin Stefanski said the Browns (6-5) expect to activate Conklin and running back Kareem Hunt from injured reserve on Saturday and play the two standouts Sunday night in a crucial road game against the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens (7-3).

“Both of those guys look good,” Stefanski said. “Kareem looked like his old self. Jack looked like his old self. Excited to get those guys back out there.”

Right tackle Jack Conklin made first-team All-Pro last year.

For Conklin and Hunt to be eligible to play in Baltimore, the Browns must activate them by 4 p.m. Saturday. It will be a formality when the moves are executed.

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Conklin and Hunt returned to practice Wednesday, when they were designated for return from injured reserve. The same day, Hunt said he planned to face the Ravens this weekend.

“They look great. Kareem looked great, and Jack looked like he has not missed a beat,” offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said Friday.

“It just looks like it did when we started the season, which is a good thing. We like our guys. We're finally getting healthy at the right time of the year.”

The Browns could use an immediate boost from two of their best players because the team's playoff chances will hinge largely on what happens in prime time at M&T Bank Stadium.

“Anytime you can get all of our starters back and get our guys going, that's a plus,” Conklin said. “You get guys back, it brings energy to the group, too, and confidence, and I'm pumped to be back out there and ready to get rolling.

“If you can win games in December and November, then you're going to put yourself in a good position to make the playoffs. That's all we can hope for right now, and that's all we can focus on.”

Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin warms up before a game against the Titans on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Conklin missed the past three games after suffering the elbow injury Oct. 31 in a 15-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and leaving the action with 9:07 remaining in the second quarter.

“I just went down to brace, and I think somebody kicked my elbow coming through and it just popped out,” Conklin said, adding he believes he'll be able to avoid offseason surgery on the elbow as long as it continues to respond well.

Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett isn't surprised Conklin is back.

“If there’s not something torn or completely snapped off the bone, he’s coming out here and practicing as hard as he can,” Garrett said.

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Unfortunately for Conklin, he missed two other games this season with a knee injury. He has started all six games in which he has appeared. Blake Hance has started four games in Conklin's absence, including the past three.

“[Conklin is] one of the best right tackles there is,” Garrett said. “... He’s very, very good at running the ball, running the ball toward him, and he’s more than satisfactory.

“Pass blocking, I think he has another step he can take, feel like he can be a little bit better, but if I got to go against him in practice, I think I can give him a couple cues or tips. Until then, I think he’ll keep [sharpening] his sword against some of these guys, against some of these rushers, that we go against later down the stretch.”

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) walks off of the field after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. Hunt and All-Pro starting right tackle Jack Conklin were designated for return from injured reserve and could play in this week's AFC North showdown against Baltimore. Hunt and Conklin will practice Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)

Hunt has sat out the past five games with a right calf injury he suffered Oct. 17 in a 37-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He left with 12:06 remaining in the game and had to be carted from the sideline to the locker room.

In six games this season, Hunt has racked up 69 carries for 361 yards (5.2 average) and five touchdowns to go along with 20 catches for 161 yards.

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The Browns haven't had Hunt and two-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb play in the same game since Oct. 10 in a 47-42 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Garrett said Hunt is capable of sparking not only the offense, but also the defense.

“Kareem just happens to run hard and like violent, so once he gets up, he’s always celebrating, he’s always real passionate,” Garrett said. “You feel that energy, regardless, on both sides [of the ball].

“When you get Nick, it’s just like, ‘Damn, he did it again.’ He doesn’t celebrate, throws the ball out. Kareem, you know when he’s done something. It will be good to have that little spark in there, but both are dynamos in their own right.”

Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin blocks Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) in action during an AFC wild-card playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)

Conklin said he experienced “a scary feeling” when he was injured, and his family was concerned about him.

As a right tackle, Conklin uses his right arm more, so an injury to his left arm isn't the worst-case scenario. He wore a large brace on his left arm this week in practice.

"The way they make this stuff now, it's pretty comfortable,” he said. “It's better than college having to wear two knee braces every game. It's not slowing me down. It's just there to help protect it. I think I could even play without it if I wanted to, but I want to keep it on, just to keep it safe."

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What Conklin didn't don Friday was warm practice gear. With light snow falling during practice, Conklin and Chubb were the only Browns players who sported shorts while avoiding long sleeves under their jerseys.

“Two pretty tough guys,” Stefanski said.

"I try to wear the same thing from the first day of camp until the end of the season,” Conklin said, “and I'm from Michigan, so I'm used to this."

The Browns are used to Conklin helping them field one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, so the completion of his comeback is viewed as perfect timing with the blitz-happy Ravens lurking.

"They just bring it all,” Conklin said. “They have just about every blitz you can think of, and they're not afraid to throw it at you at anytime of the game or any part of the field. It's a lot of practice for us, a lot of taking a look at different looks and it's a lot to be prepared for."

Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin watches warmups before an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Aug. 14, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. Conklin and Browns dynamic running back Kareem Hunt were designated for return from injured reserve and could play in this week's AFC North showdown against Baltimore. Hunt and Conklin will practice Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.