The Cleveland Browns continue to lose players on their defensive front. Fifth-year edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo suffered a torn pectoral muscle. Okoronkwo is the second Cleveland defensive lineman to go down with a torn pec in last week’s win over Jacksonville, the other being Maurice Hurst.
The 28-year-old edge rusher was having one of the better years in his brief career before suffering a torn pectoral muscle. Okoronkwo had 31 total tackles (22 solo), in addition to 12 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. This production came on a career-high 56% of defensive snaps played.
Even though Okoronkwo was far from the Browns’ best defensive lineman, he was still able to provide a level of production that will be missed. Being able to have what was essentially a designated pass rusher who was able to give Cleveland help on the opposite edge of Myles Garrett was incredibly valuable.
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The Browns should be able to survive without Okoronkwo but that is far from a guarantee.
Without Okoronkwo, the Browns will have to turn to Za’Darius Smith to increase his production and be what they thought they were getting when they acquired him from Minnesota. Smith has been somewhat of a disappointment by himself so far but was able to combine with Okoronkwo to not be the black hole that has been present for far too long.
Like most other injuries for Cleveland, this could become an issue. It is not the injury to Okoronkwo itself that is the issue, but rather multiple injuries that have compounded as the season has progressed. Continuing to lose talented players will eventually be too much to overcome. This could result in a disappointing end to a once-promising season.