The Browns’ interior offensive line depth has been dealt a blow well before the start of the season. Brian Allen was placed on injured reserve Monday, per a team announcement. 
Allen has been dealing with a calf injury since the third day of training camp, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes. The ailment is obviously a serious one, as today’s move means Allen will not play in 2024. The 28-year-old signed with the Browns after the draft in a bid to put together a healthy campaign on a new team.
Allen started each of his appearances with the Rams from 2019-22, but injuries hindered his Los Angeles tenure. The former fourth-rounder missed the 2020 campaign altogether, and he was limited to five games (and no starts) last season. To little surprise, he was released by the Rams in a move which set up his Browns arrival.
Cleveland’s offensive line was decimated by injuries in 2023, so added depth across the board was welcomed in the offseason. Allen has exclusively played at center during his career, but he did take practice reps at guard prior to suffering the injury. Now, the Browns’ plans along the interior will no longer include him for 2024. The team still has Ethan Pocic in place as a starter in the middle, along with the well-regarded tandem of Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio at guard.
Allen’s Cleveland contract was a one-year accord, as could be expected given his injury issues during his Rams tenure. His attention will now return to rehab in anticipation of free agency next spring. After another full season spent on the sidelines, though, it is safe to assume his market will not be strong once he returns to full health. In a corresponding move, the Browns signed guard Zach Johnson.