KC Concepcion back on field for Browns as injuries pile up

BEREA ― The stakes in the Browns' game this week against the Baltimore Ravens are big. So, too, are the list of their players who are currently battling through injuries of different extents.

How much will those injuries ultimately come into play on Oct. 18? Browns coach Todd Monken isn't ready to say just yet.

"Well, we'll see," Monken said. "I mean, we're not going to rule anybody in or out today, but we've got a number of guys dealing with some minor issues. We'll see today and the rest of the week."

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The Browns had eight players off their active rosters who didn't practice Oct. 14. That included three of their top four defensive tackles ― Maliek Collins (foot), Mason Graham (knee/ankle) and Mike Hall Jr. (ankle) ― along with running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle), linebacker Carson Schwesinger (ankle) and right tackle Tytus Howard (knee).

Graham and Hall had missed the Jets game due to their injuries, which were sustained in the previous week's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Collins, Judkins, Schwesinger and Howard all sustained their injuries against the Jets.

Two other players, tight end Carsen Ryan (calf) and guard Teven Jenkins (back), were also out. Ryan has been sidelined since Oct. 8, while Jenkins has been out since Sept. 7.

"We'll adjust today," Monken said. "There'll be a little more walkthrough in certain periods today that we have to do. We won't have the numbers with the availability of our team. We still have to get full speed work in certain areas and we will do that."

Howard and Ryan were on the field watching practice. The others were in the facility getting treatment.

One Browns player who was on the field and practicing wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr.. The rookie sustained a concussion after being hit by New York Jets safety Minkah Fizpatrick with 4:59 remaining in the first quarter of the Browns' Week 5 loss three days earlier.

Concepcion remains in the concussion protocol. but practice is a significant step necessary in order for him to be cleared. Considering the hit and the initial aftermath, with Concecpion being on the ground with his eyes rolling back in his head, the fact he was on the field was a major step.

"No, just from a player's health perspective," Monken said, "it's cool that it wasn't worse than it was. And so that's probably the biggest thing from a health standpoint."

Clearing the protocol and playing against the Ravens isn't a certainty. If Concepcion can't go, then it likely puts more on the plates of Jerry Jeudy and Isaiah Bond, as well as Tylan Wallace, who returned to practice after missing two games with a knee injury.

Jeudy did have two big catches on the game-winning drive against Pittsburgh. Bond had three catches for 74 yards against the Jets, but also two big drops among his seven targets.

"I mean, we hope to have KC back, but all the guys are doing a great job of just trying to learn every position," quarterback Deshaun Watson said Oct. 14. "You never know who's going to go down depending on the week and how the flow of the game is going to go. But if we all can just be on the same page and know the full game plan and not just one position, then it definitely presents itself better."

One other player who was on the field but not practicing was running back Dylan Sampson. Sampson was designated for return from the injured reserve list, which he's been on since Sept. 15.

Sampson didn't do anything on the field during practice. Beforehand, Monken merely said of the running back's chances to play against the Ravens, "I think there's a chance. He'll be out there today, and we're excited that his window has been opened."

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at

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