Ohio’s BEREA (AP) — Wednesday, Cleveland’s top-ranked defence suffered two significant blows.
End Ogbo Okoronkwo suffered a pectoral injury that will probably keep him out of action for a few weeks, if not longer, according to coach Kevin Stefanski. Safety Grant Delpit suffered a groyne surgery and was placed on injured reserve, meaning he would miss the remainder of the regular season with the Browns.
The Browns (8-5) have endured a difficult few days, but they have persevered in the AFC playoff race despite a string of injuries that have occurred since training camp. Due to injuries, Cleveland is currently using 38-year-old Joe Flacco as its starting quarterback. Stefanski and his staff have been filling in for Flacco throughout the season.
While downplaying the significance of all the injuries, Stefanski said, “For us, we play with who’s available.” “We have many talented players. We rely on and have many excellent backups available to us. precisely how we conduct business.
Every team experiences injuries, but the Browns’ circumstances have gotten more challenging as they attempt to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2002.
Anthony Walker Jr., a linebacker, expressed his wish that they would no longer have to find out. “Everyone in this locker room has our faith.” There’s a reason they are here. Of course. Losing guys hurts. We started doing it in Week 1 of this year.As we all like to say, the NFL is called Next Man Up. Although it pains us to say it, we must.
Just one day before he inked a three-year, $36 million contract extension, Delpit hurt his groyne while blitzing against Jacksonville on Sunday. Before getting hurt, Delpit sacked Trevor Lawrence of the Jaguars for a 13-yard loss.
With his designation to injured reserve, he will miss the final four games of the regular season for the Browns (8-5), who enter this week’s game against the Chicago Bears (5-8) in the AFC with the fifth-best playoff position in the league
When asked if Delpit could return if the Browns make it to the postseason, Stefanski responded, “potentially.”Leading the team with 77 tackles and serving as the cornerstone of Cleveland’s strong secondary, the 25-year-old Delpit was enjoying his finest NFL campaign. Delpit, a 2020 second-round pick, also possesses fumble recovery and interception skills.
Regarding Okoronkwo, who signed with the Browns as a free agent and is currently second on the team with 4 1/2 sacks in his first season, Stefanski stated that he “might be be headed that way” but did not specify if he is going on inactive reserve.During the third quarter, Okoronkwo was hurt while sacking Lawrence. He came back, though not as productively.
Since training camp, the Browns have suffered injuries.
They lost starting tackles Dawand Jones and Jedrick Wills Jr. just this week, and Jones will be out for the season. Jones is slated for surgery after hurting his knee during practice last week, and Wills had knee surgery on Tuesday.In addition, Cleveland is without defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (pectoral), safety Rodney McLeod (biceps), running back Nick Chubb (knee), quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder), and tackle Jack Conklin (knee).
Linebacker Jacob Phillips (pectoral) and return specialist Jakeem Grant (knee) both suffered injuries over the summer
Though Flacco has only been with the team for a few weeks, his 15 years of experience have impressed him with the Browns’ tenacity and determination.
He declared, “Everyone in here is our guy, and it’s just next man up mentality.” “Kevin deserves a lot of praise just for managing those circumstances and being able to go out and succeed in the world.
“I’ve undoubtedly experienced seasons in which we suffered injuries similar to these. I am not sure if we are still in the 8–5 shift. I really believe in going out there and finding cures.
NOTES: Starting centre Ethan Pocic (stinger) and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (concussion) were both sidelined for practice after suffering injuries on Sunday. As a result, the Browns were without other notable players. There were limitations with RB Jerome Ford’s wrist and CB Denzel Ward’s shoulder. He hasn’t played in the last three games. Duron Harmon, a safety, was signed off the practice squad
