Cleveland Browns Week 10 defensive takeaways

Jamie Collins out for 2017 with an MCL injury

Just when something finally seems to be going right for the Cleveland Browns, something has to go wrong. Well, that occurred on Sunday with the team finding out they will be without Jamie Collins the rest of the season. Collins is in the first year of his four-year deal worth up to $50 million. He was off to a bit of a slow start in 2017, though he picked up steam as of late and tallied his first interception of the season on the very play he injured his MCL on.

In six games Collins posted a sack, 21 tackles, a forced fumble and three pass deflections. His big contract came after the Browns traded what would become a third-round pick for him to the New England Patriots in 2016. Linebacker James Burgess is expected to fill the void and start in place of Collins.

Collins was a fundamental building block for this Cleveland Browns team. Coming from a New England Patriots team where he won a Super Bowl, Collins was to show the young group what it takes to win on a regular basis in the NFL. Although it’s difficult to do when being injured, Collins will still provide Cleveland with his expertise at his position and continue to mentor Cleveland’s young core.

Aside Burgess, this leaves Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert some big holes to fill and those two must step up in Collins’ absence if the Browns want to remain competitive in 2017. The two have played well and Schobert specifically has impressed with his relentless motor. Many knew what they were getting with Kirksey entering 2017, though Schobert has provided the Browns with a defensive spark at times and they need it now more than ever.

It’s no doubt a tough loss for an 0-9 football team to lose a talented player like Jamie Collins. However, this young team is hungry for a victory and have plenty of guys willing to accept a larger role to ensure the Browns don’t have a winless season.