Browns Lose Second Center to Severe Injury in Span of Days

These days, it’s tough luck being a center for the Browns.

Days after starting center Nick Harris suffered what’s likely a season-ending knee injury in Friday’s preseason opener against the Jaguars, backup center Dawson Deaton reportedly tore his ACL in practice Monday, according to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Deaton was Cleveland’s seventh-round pick in this year’s draft out of Texas Tech. A three-year starter for the Red Raiders, Deaton was twice named a second-team All-Big 12 selection and earned an invite to the NFL combine.

The Browns still have Ethan Pocic and Brock Hoffman as the only centers left on the roster. Pocic is entering his sixth season and has 40 career starts—all with the Seahawks—while Hoffman went undrafted out of Virginia Tech.

The Browns will play their second preseason game at home Sunday against the Eagles, followed by the finale on Aug. 27 at home against the Bears.