The Cleveland Browns will be without left offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. after he sustained a knee injury in Sunday’s 27-0 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

But not for as long as it appeared when Wills was carted off the field.

On Monday, Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said Wills would be placed on injured reserve after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury, but the Browns do expect the former Alabama standout to return this season.

A player on injured reserve must miss at least four games before he can be restored to the active roster. Cleveland has nine games remaining on its regular-season schedule.

“It’s not season-ending,” Stefanski said, “so expect him to work real hard in his rehab and get him back. …

“Jed’s played some really strong games for us. I thought he was playing really well in that last one and yesterday as well. I’m disappointed for him, but I know he’ll work really hard to get back out there.”

In the third quarter of Sunday’s game, Cleveland running back Kareem Hunt fell into the back of Wills’ right leg. Trainers put an air cast on Wills’ right leg before he left the field on a cart.

Wills has played in 53 regular-season and two playoff games since joining the Browns as the 10th selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he’s started all at left tackle, even though he played right tackle at Alabama.

Before going down on Sunday, Wills had played every Cleveland offensive snap this season.

The Browns assured that Wills would be back in 2024 by picking up their fifth-year option on his four-year rookie contract in May. Wills is guaranteed a $14.175 million salary next season.

Cleveland plays the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams in its next four games.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.