Hubbard is injured, Tricep.
Baker Mayfield has nothing but praise for former teammate Taylor. And James Hudson or Blake Hance will likely start at left tackle.
theathletic.com
That makes the left tackle spot the one to watch when combing through this week’s matchups. Waiting on the other side will be Texans defensive end Whitney Mercilus, a 10-year vet with 55 career sacks (and one of the coolest names in NFL history). The Browns feel good about the guidance left guard Joel Bitonio and center JC Tretter can provide whichever young player ends up starting at left tackle, Hudson or Hance.
“James is getting better,” Van Pelt said. “He is definitely an arrow-pointed-up guy. All of the work he has put in already from the day he got here (for) rookie minicamp; he has had one-on-one practice with (offensive line coach Bill) Callahan and (assistant offensive line coach Scott) Peters. He is going to continue to get better. He is a guy who I am excited to see, if he does get a chance to play this week, to see how he responds to a real NFL game.”
Hudson played mostly right tackle in the spring, but left tackle was his primary position in training camp and the preseason. He was a college defensive lineman his first two years at Michigan, so he’s still learning every position he tries. Hance made 12 starts at left tackle in his final college season at Northwestern. That was his primary college position, though he also played some at guard. Hance filled in at guard for the Browns during last year’s playoffs, and last week was his NFL regular-season debut. He spent most of his first two seasons on various practice squads.