Ezra Cleveland and other players who must shine for the Jaguars vs. Browns in Week 14
• He'll be one of 5 players who'll need to step up if they want to win
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence's ankle sprain and his potential availability (or lack thereof) are two of the biggest storylines surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14. However, Lawrence isn't the only Jags player dealing with an injury heading into the game. In fact, he's still got a chance of playing, whereas some of his teammates have already been ruled.
Walker Little, Tyson Campbell, and Tre Herndon won't be suiting up against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. Of the three, Little's absence may be the most devasting one. See, he was already playing in relief of Cam Robinson, who's on Injured Reserve with a knee injury.
Without Little in the fold, the Jaguars may bump left guard Ezra Cleveland to the edge. A 2020 second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings, the former Boise State Bronco landed in Jacksonville at the trade deadline earlier this year. His familiarity with offensive line coach Phil Rauscher, who was his position coach in Minneapolis might've been a reason the Jags acquired him.
Heading into Sunday, Cleveland has gotten reps at left tackle, and with Little already ruled out, there's a high chance that's where he'll play when the Browns host the Jags at FirstEnergy Stadium. But whether Cleveland lines up at guard or tackle, he, along with these four players, will need to shine if the Jaguars want to leave Ohio with a win.
5. Ezra Cleveland
Cleveland doesn't have the name-recognition Josh Allen or Trevor Lawrence enjoy but he'll arguably be equally as important in Week 14. Being tasked with protecting Steezy Trev's blind side, the margin for error will be slim. This wouldn't be an issue if it weren't for the fact that Cleveland is a left guard, the only other position he's played in the NFL is right guard, and that came as a rookie.
Then again, desperate times call for desperate measures, and Cleveland may be their best option to line up at left tackle in light of Walker Little's absence. Head coach Doug Pederson, for his part, says Cleveland did fine in practice.
"He seems to look fine, looks comfortable," Pederson told the media Friday. "He's got history with Phil. "When he was drafted, tackle was going to be his spot, and then they moved him inside. They need guard help, and he's played guard ever since."