Austin Barber next man up at RG if Tevin Jenkins can't go

The starting right guard position for the Cleveland Browns is currently up in the air, with veteran Teven Jenkins battling an injury, though he was able to return to practice on Wednesday after missing Monday’s practice. Wednesday’s practice is Cleveland’s final practice of the week before a short break, ahead of next week’s season opener.

Before Wednesday’s practice, Browns head coach Todd Monken said that if Jenkins couldn’t go, they would see rookie offensive lineman Austin Barber getting reps as the team’s starting right guard. This likely means that after two strong preseason games playing inside, Barber has earned the backup right guard role, and the team is confident in him if Jenkins isn’t available.

Barber looks like he might have a future on the interior of the offensive line and was PFF’s highest-graded rookie offensive tackle of the preseason with an 82.8 grade, though again most of his high-level play came at the guard position. Teven Jenkins has a long injury history, so more likely than not, we will see Barber get his shot at some point this season.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Austin Barber next man up at RG if Tevin Jenkins can’t go