Payne has been one of the more productive players on defense, even with all of their struggles, and he leaves big shoes to be filled. Quinn talked about how much of a loss it is for the defense, and Johnny Newton will be the starter on Sunday with Payne out.
“Yeah, we’ll miss Daron [Payne] for sure inside,” Quinn said. “His presence, the physicality. Johnny Newton and Javon Kinlaw will be the two who will feature the most inside. And then Eddie Goldman
and Sheldon Day would be there behind them. But we’re pleased with the development that
Johnny’s taking, especially on the pass rush side. He has had some injuries coming into last year and
Newton hasn’t played a ton of snaps this season, with 220 through the first 10 games. That’s an average of 22 snaps per game, and his total is 92nd in the league. To give context, the Commanders played 70 defensive snaps against the Lions, and they need to see more of what Newton brings.
We haven’t heard Newton’s name much this season outside of the tipped ball that Mike Sainristil intercepted against the Los Angeles Chargers, but he’s quietly put up 13 pressures, nine hurries, and two sacks. They need all the production they can get for a pass-rushing unit that has struggled since they lost Dorance Armstrong for the season. Newton’s development is also a huge factor in the rebuild of the defense that will happen this offseason, as a young piece of the roster.
The Cleveland Browns lost a crucial player early in the season. Left tackle Dawand Jones couldn’t even make it to the midway point of the campaign, sustaining yet another season-ending injury.
He had shown promise, but he’s looking at a long way back, and Jones recently revealed his potential return timeline.
“Browns OT Dawand Jones, who is out for the season with an LCL tear in his knee and a hamstring avulsion, spoke today and said his return timeline is 6-9 months. Jones said he expects to be back for OTAs next spring. He said he would love to play RT but he’ll line up wherever the team needs him,” Daniel Oyefusi wrote on X.
Browns OT Dawand Jones, who is out for the season with an LCL tear in his knee and a hamstring avulsion, spoke today and said his return timeline is 6-9 months.
He has talent, and it’s not like he’s to blame for his injuries. Nevertheless, availability is the best of abilities, and the Browns just can’t trust a player who has suffered a season-ending injury every year since he was a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Browns need to revamp their offensive line, especially at both tackle spots. Jack Conklin is missing games as well, and Cam Robinson isn’t more than a backup.
They could run it back with guards Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio and center Ethan Pocic on short-term contracts. Even so, they would need to add young talent for the future, as those players may be close to retirement.
As for Jones, it will take a lot of convincing that he deserves another shot with Cleveland. Injuries are the worst part of the game, but there’s no place for a player who can’t stay on the field, especially at such a crucial position.