Injury crisis forces to Cleveland Browns to sign likely starter from Rams practice squad

The 2024 season has not gone to plan for the Cleveland Browns, who now have no realistic chance of making the playoffs. Their 2-8 start underlines their struggles and Thursday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2) offers little hope of renewal.

The Browns are facing a major injury crisis with a number of key absences in the offensive line. Earlier this week Cleveland brought in offensive tackle Geron Christian to bolster options and the 28-year-old is expected to start against the Steelers.

Christian was most recently signed to the LA Rams' practice squad and had made only one appearance this season. He returns to the Browns, where he made nine appearances in 2023.

The Steelers are without Jedrick Wills due to injury and recently lost backup Dawand Jones, who is now out for the season. They are also missing swing tackle James Hudson who was added to the injured reserve (IR) list last month with a shoulder injury.

What is the Turnpike Rivalry?

The Browns-Steelers rivalry, also known as the Turnpike Rivalry, has the longest history of any matchup in the American Football Conference (AFC). The two teams first met in 1950 when the Browns began play in the NFL and they have 145 previous meetings ahead of Thursday’s game.

Over that time the Steelers lead the rivalry with a 81-63-1 record. The Steelers also hold an advantage in postseason meetings, winning two of the three playoff games between the two teams. A similar pattern is expected this time around.

The Steelers are challenging to claim top seed in the AFC this year and Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski knows his opposite number well. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Stefanski have worked together in the past.

"Mike and I were together in 2006 with the Vikings,“ Stefanski explained. ”First day I showed up there was Mike’s introductory press conference, it was my first day on the job. So, got to know Mike for not even, I guess, a calendar year.“

“We worked together and then he was in Pittsburgh. But good friend of mine have a ton of respect for what he does, who he is on the field, who he is off the field."

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