Browns’ bad injury luck continues at worst time
The Browns have lost several players this year to season-ending injuries, and their bad luck continued Wednesday when the team announced two more players will be joining those on the growing list of injuries.
Cleveland announced that safety Grant Delpit (groin), who just signed a three-year, $36M extension a few days ago, and DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (pectoral) are heading to injured reserve.
Delpit and Okoronkwo will join QB Deshaun Watson, RB Nick Chubb, left tackle Jedrick Wills and right tackle Dawand Jones, among others, on IR.
There is fear that Okoronkwo’s season is over, but there is still hope that Delpit can return for the playoffs as he is out for at least four games.
If Delpit, the Browns’ 2020 second-round pick, can return for a postseason run, it would be a big boost to the defense. The four-year safety has been a key piece with 251 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, six interceptions and 16 passes defensed from 2021-23.
In the meantime, however, safety D’Anthony Bell is expected to fill in for Delpit. Bell, an undrafted rookie in 2022 has just six tackles on the season, which doesn’t give fans a lot of confidence on the back end.
Delpit’s and Okoronkwo’s injuries are certainly coming at the worst time as Cleveland is fighting for a playoff spot with just four games remaining. The team is currently the No. 5 seed, but a couple of losses could make it fall out by season’s end.
Nonetheless, the defense, which is allowing the least total yards per game (263) and passing yards per game (159.7), should still play at a high level with Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garrett and others still leading the way.
The Browns’ first test without Delpit and Okoronkwo will be an interesting one come Sunday when they host the Bears (5-8), who are on their first win streak of the season with dual-threat QB Justin Fields playing for his future in Chicago.
