Jaguars LT Ezra Cleveland is questionable to return vs. Browns

For a moment, it looked like things were looking up for the Jacksonville Jaguars, with Trevor Lawrence connecting with tight end Evan Engram for a touchdown pass to make it 14-7. However, left tackle Ezra Cleveland is out for the game and is questionable to return.

Ezra Cleveland was filling in at left tackle for Walker Little, who was ruled out for the game with a hamstring injury. Although Cleveland had only played offensive guard in the NFL, he was a three-year starter at Boise State. Here's the team announcing the injury to Cleveland.

Heading into the game, Cleveland got snaps at left tackle in preparation for the game. With Cleveland out, the Jags are rolling with Blake Hance at left tackle.

A second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, Cleveland had appeared in 49 games with 53 starts before landing in Jacksonville at this year's trade deadline. At the time, he was dealing with a foot sprain but once he was healthy enough, he stepped in at left guard, the position he played in Minneapolis.

Blake Hance is in at left tackle, with Ezra Cleveland's return vs. the Browns in question

Blake Hance is in his second stint in Jacksonville. After going undrafted in 2019, he signed with the Buffalo Bills. He was released not long after and joined the Washington Commanders before landing in the Jaguars' practice squad later that year. He spent the 2020 season in Jacksonville but was waived before the regular season started.

Hance then spent time with the New York Jets, the Cleveland Browns, and the San Francisco 49ers before signing with the Jags again in November, 2022.

As of this writing, the Jags are trailing 14-7, but the game hasn't been as close as the scoreboard indicates. They've struggled to move the ball, and two interceptions have ended what were otherwise solid drives. So far, Jacksonville has mustered just seven first downs and 130 yards while the defense has given up 246 yards to the Browns.

Here are more stories from Black & Teal: