Tag: Browns injuries

RB Pierre Strong Jr. ruled out of game with hamstring injury

Cleveland Browns backup running back Pierre Strong Jr. left the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a hamstring injury.

Cleveland Browns backup running back Pierre Strong Jr. left the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a hamstring injury. Strong played well for the Browns against the Jaguars. The running back played a few roles for the Browns including kick returner.

Strong has one carry for the Browns for -5 yards. The play was blown up behind the line of scrimmage and Strong was tackled as soon as he got the handoff. Strong caught one pass for ten yards. Strong looked decisive and strong when he returned a kickoff for 25 yards.

Hopefully, Strong’s injury isn’t too serious. The talented running back is trying to carve out some playing time in a deep group. The Browns running back room got an influx of talent against the Jaguars. D’Onta Foreman started the game for the Browns. Jerome Ford is leading the Browns’ rushing attack with 62 yards on six carries.

The Browns are currently leading the Jaguars 16-3 near the end of the third quarter.

Browns WR David Bell carted off with hip injury vs. Jaguars

Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell left the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a hip injury. He will not return.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell left the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a hip injury. Bell injured his hip when he was tackled by Jaguars’ defensive tackle Arik Armstead. Bell left the field on the injury cart keeping his right leg elevated. He has been ruled out with a hip injury.

Bell re-signed with the team earlier this week after being placed on the practice squad before the Browns home opener. Bell was a surprise cut heading into the first game. The move was made to foster some roster shuffling ahead of the Cowboys game.

Bell played well in his first game back with the team. The wide receiver caught all three targets for 27 yards in the first half. Bell is a trustworthy target for quarterbacks despite his limited athleticism. The offense will miss his consistency.

The Browns’ offense started hot against the Jaguars. The Browns are leading the Jaguars 16-3 at the start of the second half.

New WR Jerry Jeudy exits Cowboys game with leg injury

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy exited the Cowboys game with a leg injury.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy exited the Cowboys game during the waning seconds of the third quarter. Jeudy grabbed the back of his leg before he left for the medical tent.

The Browns traded for Jeudy in the offseason and gave him a modest extension before he played a snap for the team. Jeudy played well in his debut. The receiver had three receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown. The Browns offense struggled mightily with Deshaun Watson at quarterback.

Watson played horrendously in his first game back since shoulder injury. The quarterback is still an extremely slow processor on the field and an inconsistent passer. Watson short armed a few passes to open receivers during the game. The Browns offense only scored 10 points during the first three quarters due to his play.

Jeudy played well considering his quarterback struggled to throw the ball. A receiver can be easily limited by an inaccurate quarterback. Hopefully, the receiver can return to the team healthy.

Insult to injury: Pro Bowl TE David Njoku exits with ankle injury

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku exited the Cowboys game with an ankle injury

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku left the game against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter with an ankle injury. Njoku suffered the injury after making a 32-yard catch and run helping revive a nearly dead offense. Njoku dragged a Cowboys defender 5-yards down the field before getting leveled by a safety down the field.

Njoku was slow to get up after the play. He hobbled to the medical tent where he briefly convened with trainers before he limped off to the locker room with a medical entourage. Njoku is questionable to return with an ankle injury.

Njoku’s 32-yard reception set the Browns offense up for a touchdown to make the game 10-27 with ten minutes left in the quarter. Njoku was a foundational piece of the offense and the Browns must find a way to replace his production. The Browns only carried two tight ends on the roster this season. Jordan Akins will replace Njoku until he can return.

Another starting offensive lineman cleared to practice in the nick of time

Cleveland Browns OT Jed Wills Jr. was cleared to return to practice after suffering an MCL tear in 2023.

Cleveland Browns starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. is cleared to practice. Wills was among a garrison of Browns’ players returning from injury this week. Wills suffered a season-ending MCL tear last November. The tackle had knee surgery in December after he attempted to play through the injury. 

Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters the Browns will take it slow with Wills,  “He’s cleared to practice. He’s doing walk-throughs. He’s not going to practice just yet, but he’s progressing through his rehab.” 

The Browns need Wills to protect quarterback Deshaun Watson this year. Wills is poised for a strong season. The veteran is entering the final year of his contract, and he’s looking to capitalize on it. 

Wills is a talented left tackle, but inconsistency has haunted him throughout his career. Wills must mentally buy-in on every snap. His lack of care between downs has limited the start of a promising career.

In week one, Wills will have his biggest test of the season against Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys. Hopefully, the tackle can string together a great season and get rewarded handsomely.

Browns FB Giovanni Ricci suffers knee injury vs. Vikings

Cleveland Browns tight end Giovanni Ricci exited the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings with a knee injury

Cleveland Browns tight end Giovanni Ricci exited the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings with a knee injury. Ricci suffered the injury during the two-minute drill after catching a pass for a first down. Ricci limped to the sideline to see the medical trainers. The savvy veteran move saved the Browns from using a timeout. Ricci was ruled out at halftime.

The Browns signed Ricci during the offseason to serve as the team’s H-Back. Ricci played very well before suffering the injury. Ricci, a converted fullback, looked very natural as a pass catcher. Ricci recorded 32 yards on 4 catches during the first half. 

Ricci is competing for a roster spot in a crowded Browns’ tight end room this season. The tight end room is uncharacteristically weak this season. The Browns require a lot from their tight ends. The team’s best option inside the room might come from assistant coach Mike Vrabel who has embedded himself in the group coached by Tommy Rees.

Browns lose two more offensive tackles to injury vs. Vikings

Cleveland Browns offensive tackles Germain Ifedi and Hakeem Adiniji have been ruled out of the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings

Cleveland Browns lost two offensive tackles during a Minnesota Vikings’ interception return. Offensive tackles Hakeem Adeniji and Germain Ifedi exited the preseason game at the start of the third quarter. This came after they already lost James Hudson III to injury earlier in the game.

Adeniji suffered the injury while chasing a Vikings cornerback during an interception. Adeniji slipped near the sideline, but he walked to the locker room with the assistance of trainers. Adeniji replaced an injured James Hudson III earlier in the quarter.

Adeniji has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Ifedi was seen walking to the locker room with trainers after the play. Ifedi suffered a hand injury and he is ruled out for the game.

The Browns signed veterans Ifedi and Adeniji in the offseason to bolster their offensive tackle depth. The Browns entered the game without starting tackles Jedrick Wills Jr., and Jack Conklin. Both tackles are on the PUP list, but they’re expected to be elevated to the roster soon. The Browns need all the help they can get at the position after this slew of injuries has momentarily wiped out the team’s depth.

Browns lose yet another offensive tackle to injury vs. Vikings

Cleveland Browns’ backup tackle James Hudson III limped during the first half of the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Cleveland Browns backup tackle James Hudson III limped off the field during the first half of the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. The tackle injured his ankle during the two-minute warning. Hudson was escorted into the locker room before halftime. 

Hudson started the game at right tackle for the Browns’ before switching to the left side during the second quarter. The Browns want to play the 2021 fourth-round pick as often as possible. Hudson switched to the offensive line during his sophomore college season and is still a raw player. Hudson has played well for a backup right tackle but looks out of place on the left side of the line. The Browns hope Hudson develops into a swing tackle that can play on either side.

The Browns have spent a lot of resources building up the backup tackle spots. Hakeem Adeniji, an offseason addition, replaced Hudson as left tackle. Hopefully, Hudson is not seriously injured and he can play out the offseason to the best of his abilities.

He has an ankle injury.

Browns S Vincent Gray questionable to return with groin injury

The Cleveland Browns safety Vincent Gray left the game against the Green Bay Packers with a groin injury.

The Cleveland Browns safety Vincent Gray left the game against the Green Bay Packers with a groin injury. Gray was seen heading into the locker room with the trainers.

Grey was a late addition to the Browns last season. The safety from the University of Michigan signed with the Browns’ practice squad in November. He played in the team’s regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. He finished the game with 5 tackles and multiple pass breakups. Gray is battling for a spot on the 53-man roster.

The NFL season is always described as a war of attrition and the first half of the Packers’ game has served as a stark reminder that cliches are true for a reason. During the first half, the Browns lost safety Ronnie Hickman Jr., Luke Wypler, and David Bell. Hopefully, Gray will be able to return during the second half. The Browns trail the Packers 17-3 at the halftime mark.

Browns C Luke Wypler carted off vs. Packers with severe ankle injury

Cleveland Browns center Luke Wypler exits Green Bay Packers game with a severe ankle injury.

Cleveland Browns backup center Luke Wypler exited the game against the Green Bay Packers with a severe leg injury. Wypler was carted off the field during the second quarter of the game. Wypler suffered the injury after multiple players rolled into the back of his leg while he was engaged in a block.

The Browns medical staff immediately put an air cast on Wypler’s leg as they loaded him onto the medical cart. Wypler was visibly shaken and his teammates on the offensive line were comforting him before they drove him off the field.

Wypler’s injury will throw the Browns’ offensive line room into disarray. After a successful rookie season, Wypler was penciled in as the backup center and the sixth offensive lineman in heavy personnel groupings.

The Browns must find a replacement for the promising player before the season starts. The team was already looking for centers after losing third-team center Brian Allen to IR with a calf injury.