CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns rookie right tackle Dawand Jones will miss Sunday’s game against Jacksonville with a knee injury, a blow to a team trying to stay in the AFC playoff hunt.
Jones has played exceptionally well after moving into the starting lineup in Week 1, when Jack Conklin suffered a season-ending knee injury.
A fourth-round pick from Ohio State, Jones was downgraded from questionable to out Saturday — one of several significant moves made by the Browns (7-5).
The team also waived backup quarterback P.J. Walker, who went 1-1 as a starter earlier this season while Deshaun Watson was dealing with a shoulder injury. Walker also came off the bench at Indianapolis when Watson got hurt and led the Browns to a win.
If he’s not claimed, the Browns are likely to re-sign Walker.
Also, quarterback Joe Flacco was elevated from the practice squad in advance of his expected second straight start. Flacco passed for 254 yards in a loss last week and showed he’s still capable of playing at a high level.
Rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson cleared concussion protocol Thursday and is expected to back up the 38-year-old Flacco. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t announce his starter Friday, but all signs point to it being Flacco.
Stefanski said Friday that Jones “tweaked” his right knee in practice this week. He’s had issues with the knee earlier this season. James Hudson III will likely start for Jones.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper was cleared from the concussion protocol and is expected to play. He was hurt in last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams and was listed as questionable Friday.
