Joel Bitonio Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Browns vs Raiders game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Mar 5, 2025
Will play in 2025
The Browns announced Wednesday that Bitonio will return for the 2025 season.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio was contemplating retirement following the 2024 campaign, but the seven-time Pro Bowler has decided to return for a 12th NFL season. Bitonio started in all 17 games for the Browns last year and has missed just two regular-season games since 2017.
Feb 22, 2025
Contemplating retirement
Bitonio is deciding whether or not to retire and expects to inform the Browns of his decision before the start of free agency, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio has been in the NFL for 11 years and has been voted to the Pro Bowl each of the past seven seasons. He started in all 17 games for Cleveland last year and has missed just two regular-season contests since 2017. It would be a huge loss for the Browns' offensive line if Bitonio isn't part of the team next season, and Cabot adds that the left guard is "leaning a certain way" on retiring but isn't yet ready to share his decision.
Nov 1, 2024
Set to play Week 9
Bitonio (foot) will play Sunday versus the Chargers, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
ANALYSIS
A foot issue caused Bitonio to miss the first two practice sessions of the week, but he was able to return to a limited practice Friday. That appears to be enough for the offensive guard to suit up Sunday. Bitonio has yet to miss an offensive snap through eight games this season.
Oct 30, 2024
Dealing with foot issue
Bitonio (foot) won't practice Wednesday, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio played 100.0 percent of the Browns' offensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Ravens; however, it appears he sustained a foot injury in the process. The veteran offensive lineman will likely need to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday in order to suit up in Week 9, when the Browns host the Chargers.
Aug 2, 2024
Recovered from ankle injury
Bitonio has been a full participant in practice during training camp, Patrick Warren of the Browns' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio suffered a high-ankle sprain in Cleveland's wild-card loss to Houston in January, but he's since fully recovered. The veteran lineman is slated to work as the Browns' starting left guard once again in 2024.
Jan 15, 2024
Suffered high-ankle sprain
Bitonio suffered a high-ankle sprain in Saturday's wild-card loss to the Texans, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio was in a walking boot Monday. The veteran guard briefly left Saturday's playoff loss to Houston but was able to return after getting the ankle taped. In total this season, Bitonio started 15-of-17 games but dealt with several injuries, needing a knee scope before dealing with back, oblique and ankle problems. The 32-year-old plans to continue his playing career in 2024.
Jan 13, 2024
Returns to wild-card game Saturday
Bitonio (ankle) has returned to Saturday's playoff contest against Houston, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio hurt his ankle in the first half, and he was subsequently examined in the locker room. However, the Pro Bowler has since been able to re-enter the wild-card game. Michael Dunn, who had taken over at left guard while Bitonio was out, has consequently returned to the bench.
Jan 13, 2024
Injures ankle in wild-card game
Bitonio is questionable to return to Saturday's contest against Houston due to an ankle injury, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio logged a DNP/LP/FP practice progression this week, though the designations were due to rest and oblique/knee concerns. Thus, the ankle injury the offensive lineman suffered in the first half Saturday appears to be a new issue. Michael Dunn has entered at left guard in Bitonio's stead.
Dec 24, 2023
Will suit up Week 16
Bitonio (back) is active for Sunday's game against Houston.
ANALYSIS
After hurting his back and exiting early from last Sunday's game against Chicago, Bitonio began Week 16 prep with a pair of DNPs before advancing to a limited practice Friday. That was enough for him to be deemed able to play Week 16 in an important matchup with the Texans. Bitonio's presence should be a boost to Joe Flacco's pass protection.
Dec 22, 2023
Questionable for Sunday
Bitonio (back) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Texans, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The All-Pro guard could be trending in the right direction to play Sunday, as he's gone from consecutive DNPs to open Cleveland's week of practice to a limited session Friday. If Bitonio misses his second game of the season in Week 16, Michael Dunn will likely get the nod at left guard.
Dec 17, 2023
Won't return Sunday
Bitonio (back) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's contest against the Bears, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio left in the first half with a back injury and will remain out for the rest of the game. Michael Dunn is in at left guard with Bitonio sidelined.
Dec 17, 2023
Exits game with back injury
Bitonio (back) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Bears, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio was helped off the field with an apparent back injury. Michael Dunn has taken over at left guard in Bitonio's absence.
Oct 20, 2023
Good to go at Indy
Bitonio (knee) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game at the Colts, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio was able to return to practice in full Friday after missing Thursday's session, putting him back on track for Week 7. He'll start at left guard across from a disruptive Indianapolis defensive line.
Oct 13, 2023
Won't play vs. 49ers
Bitonio (knee) is listed as out for Sunday's game versus San Francisco, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, Bitonio got a scope on his knee during Cleveland's bye in Week 5 and came close to playing, a good sign he's quickly approaching a return to game action. Michael Dunn will start at guard Sunday in Bitonio's place.
Oct 9, 2023
Dealing with unspecified injury
Bitonio (undisclosed) was spotted leaving the Browns' facility on crutches last week, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio is considered "day-to-day" with an unspecified injury ahead of the team's Week 6 matchup with the undefeated 49ers. The left guard's status will be worth monitoring as the week goes on.
Jan 15, 2021
Activated off COVID list
Bitonio will be activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday according to a source, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
ANALYSIS
After clearing the league's COVID-19 protocols, Bitonio will be able to rejoin the Browns ahead of Sunday's AFC divisional-round matchup against the Chiefs. The 29-year-old will likely return to his starting role as left guard.
Jan 5, 2021
Goes to COVID-19 list
Bitonio was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Bitonio tested positive for the virus and won't be available for Sunday's wild-card game against the Steelers. Bitonio started every regular-season game at left guard. Michael Dunn appears to be the next man up at the position.
Oct 4, 2020
Ready to roll Sunday
Bitonio (back) is active Week 4 agains the Cowboys.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio was able to play through the injury last week, but it did cost him a practice session Wednesday before returning on a limited basis both Thursday and Friday. It doesn't appear to be anything that will prevent Bitonio from suiting up and starting at left guard, and the team appears confident he can finish the game, as backup Evan Brown is a healthy scratch for the contest.
Oct 2, 2020
Questionable Week 4
Bitonio is questionable for Sunday's game at Dallas with a back injury, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio began the week not practicing due to the back injury, but he progressed enough over the past couple days to receive the questionable tag. Evan Brown is the likely replacement at left guard should Bitonio be unable to play Sunday.
Sep 19, 2019
Abdomen injury lingers
Bitonio was limited in Wednesday's practice due to an abdomen injury, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio managed to play through his abdomen injury during Monday's win over the Jets, and may manage to do the same Week 3 versus the Rams. If Bitonio is able to go he'll likely draw the start at left guard.
Sep 16, 2019
Active Monday
Bitonio isn't listed on the injury report for Monday's matchup with the Jets.
ANALYSIS
Bitonio was originally deemed questionable for Monday's contest, but it seems he'll be able to suit up. The 27-year-old will likely start at left guard.
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