BEREA — When Jack Conklin joined his fellow Browns offensive linemen in diving on a massive, orange pad during a fumble recovery drill last week, the two-time All-Pro right tackle looked like a man who would be ready for the beginning of the 2022 season.

However, the proverbial brakes have been pumped since then.

On Friday, the Browns listed Conklin as questionable to play Sunday in their season opener on the road against the Carolina Panthers.

Conklin said he feels "good" and “very close” to being able to return from the ruptured patellar tendon he suffered in his right knee Nov. 28 against the Baltimore Ravens, but he also described his status for Week 1 as “a game-time decision.”

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Conklin participated in team drills throughout the week and looked “really good,” though he wants to see how the lineman is doing Saturday before the Browns arrive at a final answer. Conklin spoke as if a determination wouldn't be made until close to Sunday's 1 p.m. kickoff. The team listed him as a limited practice participant throughout the week.

From Conklin's perspective, his comeback attempt has been encouraging.

“It's been steady progress,” Conklin said. “It's really going very well. There hasn't been any hiccups. It's gone, I would say, better than planned when the surgery was done.”

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The Browns expect Conklin, 28, to provide a boost if he can start.

“It would be huge,” three-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb said. “We all know Jack's a great player. He's very experienced. He sets blocks so well for me, Kareem [Hunt] and other guys to read, so it would be a great addition if he could come back.”

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Conklin said his conditioning has been good, and he's been aiming to play in the opener all along. He began training camp in late July on the active/physically unable to perform list. He was activated from the list Aug. 1 and returned to team drills Aug. 16.

“It was always my goal [to play in the opener],” he said. “In my head, that was something that I'd been striving to do since the surgery. I wanted to be back and get back out there for the team, and that's always been my goal.”

Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt commended Conklin's relentless rehabilitation this offseason and said he's pleased with the progress he has observed.

Four-time Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio hopes to see Conklin rewarded for all of the hard work.

“He's been here pretty much all offseason,” Bitonio said. “He's been working since the moment the injury happened. He's been grinding to get back, and it's a testament to him and what he's put in. I know he's stronger. He's moving well.

“To me, he looks really good out there [with] the reps he's been getting. It would be huge [to have him available]. He was an All Pro a couple years ago, and he's put on that film before, but he's a huge part of our offense, and I think it would be awesome if he could get out there and go.”

If Conklin can't play, James Hudson III is a candidate to start at right tackle. Chris Hubbard is the team's main swing tackle, but he's listed as questionable with an elbow injury despite fully participating in practices all week. Joe Haeg is another option, but the Browns just signed him Monday.

Conklin, 6 feet, 6 inches and 308 pounds, explained he's not concerned he'll return to game action too soon because he has been building trust in the knee during practices. It's simply a matter of feeling good this weekend and receiving the requisite approval to test it in a real game.

“I'm not too worried about the knee anymore,” he said. “It's just [a sense of] excitement of getting back out there, and sometimes I think the trainers have to pull you back a little bit, make sure you don't do too much too early and stuff. So for me, I'm a competitor, and I want to be back out here with these guys, and it's getting close and I'm excited — definitely excited.”

The Browns will be a bit more excited, too, if Conklin lines up in the trenches in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.