The Cleveland Browns’ rocky start to their preseason opener included an injury to one of their key offensive players. On Cleveland’s second offensive play, starting center Nick Harris was ejected from the field after sustaining a right knee injury. Ethan Pocic replaced Harris in the lineup.
Harris would be a major loss for the Cleveland offense. He was expected to start this season after making two starts in his first two seasons. A fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Harris underwent a grueling conditioning program in the offseason that seemed to pay off this summer.
“When he arrived, and all college players have a limited base, and then when they get here, they’re blown away by everything they have to do and everything that’s going on,” the line’s coach recently said. Browns offense, Bill Callahan. of Harris. “To see him grow, not just physically – because he’s done a great job in the offseason in the weight room – but mentally, getting back into the system, learning to communicate calls, hitting players in the right places.
“What’s impressive is his dialogue off the pitch and the questions he asks. They’re great. They’re really thoughtful and meaningful, and they’re applicable. I would say his mental development has really increased more than his physical development.”
If Harris is seriously short on time, the Browns could reach out to JC Tretter, who was the team’s starting center the previous five seasons. Tretter is still on the open market after the Browns released him in March.
