The Cleveland Browns made a difficult but necessary decision this week as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season, placing star linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. The move, confirmed by NFL insider Adam Schefter on Friday, means the talented defender will miss the entire upcoming season due to a lingering neck injury that has kept him sidelined since 2024.

For Browns fans, this news is a tough pill to swallow. Owusu-Koramoah, a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, quickly established himself as one of the most dynamic playmakers on Cleveland's defense. After showing flashes of brilliance in his first two seasons—racking up 146 tackles, eight pass deflections, and four forced fumbles—he truly broke out in 2023. That season, he recorded 101 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions, cementing his status as a rising star in the league.

Unfortunately, a devastating neck injury in 2024 derailed his momentum and has kept him off the field ever since. The Browns, under new head coach Todd Monken and defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg, have had to adjust their plans accordingly. The silver lining? Cleveland's front office, led by general manager Andrew Berry, already began preparing for this scenario. Last year, Berry drafted UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger in the second round, and the rookie delivered in a big way. Schwesinger posted an impressive 156 tackles and two interceptions, earning the 2025 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

With Schwesinger anchoring the linebacker corps alongside veteran help from a former New York Jets standout, the Browns' defense still has plenty of firepower. But losing a player of Owusu-Koramoah's caliber is never easy. As the team gears up for training camp and builds momentum under a new coaching staff, this painful decision underscores the harsh realities of the NFL—where even the brightest stars can be sidelined by injury.