Joel Bitonio Ruled Out vs. 49ers, Will End Remarkable Snap Streak

Bitonio hadn’t missed a regular season game since 2016

Joel Bitonio has been one of the most durable players the Browns have had in the last seven years, but the All-Pro guard's impressive snap streak is now set to come to an end Sunday against the 49ers.

The Browns have officially ruled out Bitonio for Week 6, which will end his streak of 6,846 consecutive snaps set across 102 games. The streak began in 2017.

Bitonio is missing the game due to a knee injury he suffered in Week 4 against the Ravens. Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported earlier this week that Bitonio left the 28-3 loss in crutches, and Bitonio didn't participate in practice at all this week and was listed as out on the Browns' final injury report update.

Aug 3, 2023; Canton, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio enters the field before the game between the Browns and the New York Jets at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Backup offensive lineman Michael Dunn is expected to fill in at left guard for Bitonio, who won’t be the only top starter missing from Cleveland’s offense — QB Deshaun Watson was also ruled out Friday, which led to the Browns tabbing P.J. Walker to start in his Browns debut.

Without Bitonio and Watson, the Browns face exceptionally long odds of producing against the 49ers, who own the league’s third-best mark of 266.8 yards per game. They have also allowed a league-low 13.6 points per game.

Bitonio, a second-round pick in 2014, last missed a regular season game in 2016 when a foot injury in Week 5 ended his season. He also missed the Browns’ wild card win over the Steelers in the playoffs in 2020 with COVID-19.