Browns Preparing To Potentially Lose Another Key Defender To Injury

The streak of bad injury news continues for the Browns as reports indicate they could lose another key member of their stout defensive line for the remainder of the season

Bad news struck the Browns again on Wednesday.

In a week filled with unfortunate injury news, now, more may be on the way.

Pass rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo may join a long list of teammates on the IR after suffering a pectoral injury in Cleveland’s 31-27 win over the Jaguars. The news comes on the same day the team placed another key defender in safety Grant Delpit on the IR. While there’s a chance Delpit could return for the postseason after recovering from his groin injury, that likely wouldn’t be the case with Okoronkwo.

“I don’t have final confirmation on Okoronkwo,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said before practice on Wednesday. “I’ll hold out hope, but it’s certainly looking [like it would be season-ending].”

Okoronkwo actually exited Sunday’s game multiple times. At first the former Texan was dealing with a groin injury but wound up returning to the game. Later he exited with what is now known to be a season-threatening pectoral injury.

It’s the latest blow to a Browns season defined by injuries, as this week has seen three other players have their seasons cut short due to some sort of ailment. That list includes both starting tackles Dawand Jones and Jedrick Wills as well as fellow defensive lineman Maurice Hurst. In total, the Browns have now lost 13 players to season-ending injuries this season. Delpit makes a 14th who at the very least is done for the regular season.

Okoronkwo has been a solid addition to the Browns defensive line this season, playing alongside the likes of Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith. The former Texan has compiled 31 total tackles, 12 for a loss, 4.5 sacks and eight QB hits. He also has a fumble recover on his resume.

The 28-year-old joined the Browns this offseason as a free agent signing a three-year $19 million deal in the opening days of free agency back in March.