Jason

Pinkston

Pinkston was a three-year starter at tackle in college, and the Browns have a need at right tackle. They just don’t believe Pinkston is capable of moving back there. A 16-game starter at left guard as a rookie, Pinkston graded out as one of the league’s worst offensive linemen by Pro Football Focus.

Steinbach missed all of 2011 after undergoing preseason back surgery, and is currently set to earn $6 million next season. It’s unlikely the Browns will be willing to pay it. If Steinbach refuses to re-negotiate, 2011 fifth-round pick Jason Pinkston is a potential in-house replacement.

Pinkston struggled while converting from college tackle to NFL guard as a rookie without an offseason, but he is a brawling mauler on the interior with a big upside. “I think he’s gonna be one of the top guards in the league,” Thomas said. “He’s made a big jump already from where he was last year, and he’s gonna be a great player on this line for a lot of years.” The Browns’ promising, power-blocking line is one big plus for rookie back Trent Richardson.

It’s a tough break for Pinkston, who was off to a terrific start this season after struggling in his rookie year. The Browns do have an effective run-blocking replacement in John Greco, but they may not be able to afford to lose any more offensive line starters without experiencing a dramatic drop-off. Pinkston is under contract for $550K in 2013 and should return as a starter.

He’s currently in the hospital and will be replaced by John Greco against the Colts. Greco is a formidable run blocker, so the drop-off won’t be a back breaker for Trent Richardson’s Week 7 outlook. Pinkston, a second-year player, has graded out as a top-25 overall guard through six games, per Pro Football Focus.

Pinkston was hospitalized Thursday with a blood clot in his lung and is dealing with a potentially career-threatening injury, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns have yet to officially announce whether he’ll be placed on injured reserve. John Greco will start in his place in Week 7 against the Colts.

The procedure was to repair a herniated disc. Steinbach was placed on injured reserve immediately after the surgery. Rookie Jason Pinkston will hold down the fort at left guard to start the season. Steinbach will be 32 next year and is due a $6.25 million salary in 2012. He’ll likely be cut if Pinkston plays well.

Pinkston was on his way to a breakout season prior to landing on IR in Week 7. He’s back as the likely starting left guard for a unit our Evan Silva ranks sixth in the league.

Pinkston was enjoying a fine season before going down in Week 6, but his career is still in the balance. Head coach Pat Shurmur was uncertain of Pinkston’s long-term outlook, “It’s hard for me to tell what the long range is for him.” John Greco has filled in admirably at left guard for Cleveland. Pinkston will enter the third year of his four-year rookie deal in 2013.

Pinkston still hasn’t been cleared for football activities, but the Browns expect him to have a normal offseason and report to training camp as a starter. A fifth-round pick in 2011, Pinkston is set to make $500,000 in the third year of his rookie deal and is under contract through 2014.