Browns RT James Hudson III gets chance at redemption vs. Steelers

On Jan 7, 2023

Browns offensive tackle James Hudson III celebrates following a touchdown during the first half Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C.

BEREA — James Hudson III isn’t looking at it as a chance to stare down a bad memory. The Browns offensive tackle is merely viewing it as an opportunity to perform.

However, there’s no doubt Hudson remembers the last time he played at Pittsburgh. It’s just that he’s not taking those memories with them into Sunday’s season finale against the Steelers.

Hudson will once again start at right tackle in place of an injured Jack Conklin (ankle) when the Browns play in Pittsburgh. That means he’ll once again be lined up opposite the Steelers’ All-Pro edge rusher, T.J. Watt.

“I’m not really looking at it like that, meaning about just the one-on-one matchup,” Hudson told the Beacon Journal Friday. “I want to go out here and get a win with this team. That’s what’s most important to me. I want to do whatever I can to put my best foot forward so I can help them win. If that leads to us going up against each other a few, then so be it. He’s obviously a great player, everybody knows that. He’s a future Hall of Famer, somebody I watched growing up. I’m just excited to go out there with these guys again for one more opportunity to just lay it out on the line.”

The last time Hudson faced off against Watt, it did not go well for Hudson, Baker Mayfield or the Browns. Watt recorded four sacks in the Steelers’ 23-14 win over Cleveland in Week 16 of last season.

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) celebrates after sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Those were four of nine sacks Pittsburgh recorded in the game of Mayfield. Watt finished the game with five tackles, four sacks, three tackles for loss, five quarterback hits and two passes defensed.

“Last year is last year,” coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday. “He has done a very nice job this season. That is a tough task. We understand how good their defensive front is – obviously, No. 90 (Watt) – but they have a bunch of really, really good players. That is a very good defense. It is a great challenge for us as an offense to go up against that group.”

Watt did not play when the Browns beat the Steelers 29-17 in Week 3 this season. It was one of seven games he missed this season due to a partially torn pectoral muscle he suffered in the season opener at Cincinnati.

In 10 career games against the Browns, including the 2020 AFC Wild Card game, Watt has 14.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and 23 quarterback hits.

“Man, it’s a long list,” Hudson said of what makes Watt special. “I mean, you could go on. It’s his get-off, the use of his hands. He has great power. He has length. The list goes on and on. He’s very smart. He has the complete package. I really can’t pinpoint one thing. Top rushers like that, I mean, they don’t have one thing that they’re good at. They’re good at everything.”

Sunday will be the third game Hudson has started at right tackle. He also filled in for Conklin while he finished his recovery from a torn patellar tendon sustained in late November 2021.

Conklin’s latest issue, an ankle injury, occurred during the third quarter of the Browns’ win at the Washington Commanders. He returned for a few plays after getting his ankle re-taped before leaving for good with less than four minutes remaining in the quarter.