Browns Injuries: Three Starters Possibly Out

The Cleveland Browns versus the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a huge game changing game for the home team, and the AFC North. This time Browns injuries have create issues. The two teams did battle in Week 1, with the Steelers taking that game at home by three points as the clock expired.

This time the Browns are hoping that it is different. They are hoping that home field advantage and four games to get a feel for their new offensive and defensive systems will be the difference. A win puts the Browns no worse than one game behind in the division race. With winnable games ahead on the schedule the Browns have a chance to make this a memorable season. It has already been heart pounding.

Yet three starters, all on the defensive side of the ball, could be out for the game. Phil Taylor had surgery this week and is out. The Browns run defense has been terrible. John Hughes, Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, Billy Winn and whoever else takes snaps for Taylor likely can’t do much worse.

Joe Haden has had a season to forget so far. Now he is dealing with a hip injury that has sidelined him all week. He has struggled against Antonio Brown of the Steelers but the drop off from Haden to the rest of the CB group is big. Without Haden, Buster Skrine and rookies will have to hold up against the Ben Roethlisberger led attack. Tough for anyone, especially a group led by Skrine, who was torched last week.

The latest injury creates a far bigger concern. Paul Kruger, perhaps the Browns’ best defender so far this season, sat out practice yesterday with a back issues. He could still play but that it acted up later in the week is a big concern. If he does play he could be limited. Kruger has set the edge and got a ton of pressure on the QB this year. Without him the Browns will hope that Barkevious Mingo can tap into his immense talent, instead of being around the pile but not making plays.

The Browns defense has been a problem all year. Possibly being down three starters, or have two who are limited, could create a huge level of concern on Sunday. The Dawg Pound is needed to truly help the defense and be the 12th and 13th man on the field.

Which of the three injuries concerns you the most?