The Cleveland Browns just suffered several losses on the injury front following the first game of the season.
The Cleveland Browns’ Week 1 performance turned into a nightmare on multiple fronts. In addition to a crushing blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Browns now face a string of significant injuries that could impact their ability to bounce back in the coming weeks.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski’s squad is now facing the challenge of managing without key defensive players for the next several games.
On Wednesday, the Browns announced that four players have been placed on injured reserve, meaning they will miss at least the next four weeks. The list includes linebackers Mohamoud Dibate (hip) and Tony Fields II (ankle), defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (ankle), and starting safety Juan Thornhill (calf). Thornhill’s injury is particularly notable as he played nearly the entire game in Week 1, contributing nine tackles. However, lingering calf issues, which also affected him in 2023, have resurfaced.
Hurst’s absence leaves a gap in the defensive line, as the Browns had hoped his presence would be critical in stopping the run. The loss of Dibate and Fields reduces depth at the linebacker position, which could prove costly in the critical opening stretch of the season.
With health issues already becoming a problem, Cleveland may face an uphill battle similar to last year’s injury-plagued campaign.
