CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Browns starting center Nick Harris will likely need season-ending surgery for the right knee he injured on Friday night’s second play of the exhibition opener against Jacksonville.
Coach Kevin Stefanski did not provide details about Harris’ injury or test results. I keep doing
“All these injuries stink,” Stefanski said on a Zoom call with reporters on Saturday. The kid has worked so hard that the season doesn’t last. “
Harris was back in pass coverage when his right knee appeared to bend while blocking a Jaguars defender. He lay face down for a few seconds before being checked by medical personnel and removed from the cart.
Ethan Pocic, who signed as a free agent in the offseason, replaced Harris after five seasons in Seattle.
“Ethan went there and did a really great job,” Stefanski said. “He’s been with us since April. We went out and got him for a reason. We’re thrilled with what he did last night.”
A fifth-round pick in 2020, Harris took every snap in Cleveland’s first-team offense in training camp and is headed to replace veteran JC Tretter, who was fired during the offseason and remains a free agent. I was on my way.
Tretter has been a reliable presence for the Browns, starting 80 games in five seasons. He has also been president of the NFL Players Association for the past two years, and he was voted for a second term before being fired by Cleveland.
Stefanski declined to comment on the renewed interest in Tretter, instead reiterating how well Počić played.
Harris’ injury was the second most serious injury for the Browns this week. Return specialist Jacquime Grant Sr. will miss the season after tearing his left Achilles tendon in practice Tuesday, and last season’s Pro Bowler in Chicago said he had to rectify Cleveland’s erratic return game. signed his three-year deal worth up to $13.8 million.
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