Cleveland Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. will be placed on injured reserve due to a right knee MCL injury, according to a report by ESPN.com. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the news on Monday, but assured that the injury will not sideline Wills for the rest of the season.

The designation of injured reserve means that Wills will be required to miss a minimum of four games. This implies that his potential return to the field would be in Week 14 when the Browns face the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Wills sustained the injury during the Browns' dominant 27-0 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. In the third quarter, running back Kareem Hunt was tackled into the back of Wills' knee on a running play, resulting in the injury. Wills was immediately ruled out for the remainder of the game and was seen leaving the field on a cart with an air cast on his knee.

This setback adds to the Browns' already significant injury concerns on the offensive line. Starting right tackle Jack Conklin suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1, leaving the team without both starting tackles.

Coach Stefanski disclosed his plans to replace Wills at left tackle. The options include either James Hudson III or rookie Dawand Jones. Jones has been starting in place of Conklin since the beginning of the season, while Hudson stepped in for Wills after his injury on Sunday. Hudson has seven career starts at the tackle positions, providing the team with some experience in the absence of their starting left tackle.

Jedrick Wills Jr., who was selected as the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has been a crucial part of the Browns' offensive line with 53 career starts to his name. The team demonstrated their commitment to him by picking up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract in May, ensuring his base salary of $14.175 million for the 2024 season.

While the loss of Wills is undoubtedly a blow to the Browns, the team will be hoping for a swift recovery and a strong return as they navigate through the challenges of maintaining a formidable offensive line.