While the All-Pro guard’s 102-straight-game streak has come to an end, Joel Bitonio is not expected to miss any more time. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that the Cleveland Browns can expect the longest-tenured member of their team to return in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts.
The bulk of Schefter’s article was about the shoulder injury of the quarterback Deshaun Watson, he did sneak in one sentence about Bitonio as well:
“Bitonio, who made 102 consecutive starts for the Browns, will be replaced by Michael Dunn but is expected to be back next week against the Colts.”
The Browns will play eight AFC opponents over their last 12 games of the season, starting in Week 7 in Indianapolis. This would be a massive boost to the Browns to not only get Watson potentially back against the Colts, but also the embodiment of consistency and continued dominance in Bitonio as well.
Getting Bitonio back in their lineup is a necessity to make a run.