Cleveland Browns: CB E.J. Gaines suffers potentially ‘significant’ injury

One of the key additions in the revamped Cleveland Browns secondary, cornerback E.J. Gaines was carted off the field practice field with a potentially ‘significant’ knee injury.

The Cleveland Browns made it a point of emphasis to build a strong pass defense this off-season, adding multiple players to the secondary.

One of the biggest additions was cornerback E.J. Gaines, who signed a one-year, $4 million prove-it deal with the Browns this off-season.

But on Sunday, his campaign to earn a lucrative multi-year contract next off-season could have taken a major hit. Gaines was carted off the Browns practice field on Sunday after suffering a right knee injury contesting a pass intended for Jarvis Landry. Many at the practice have reported that the injury looked “significant.”

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Gaines was competing to earn the starting cornerback job opposite of rookie Denzel Ward. Gaines, Terrance Mitchell, and T.J. Carrie have been battling for the job during camp, but Mitchell has seemed to be running away with the competition.

Gaines had a breakout season with the Buffalo Bills in 2017, making 59 tackles, three forced fumbles, one interception, and nine passes defended in 11 games.

The 26-year-old cornerback has shown the potential to be one of the better pass defenders in the league, but injuries have hampered his career. Gaines has never played a full season, playing a career-high 15 games in his rookie season in 2014.

Gaines also missed the entire 2015 season with a foot injury after seeing time as the Rams’ starting cornerback during training camp.

Gaines played for Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams from 2014-2016 with the Rams, and seemed to be hoping that a reunion with his old coach will result in a strong 2018 season.

The Browns have showed interest in multiple free agent cornerbacks since training camp started, including bringing in Bashaud Breeland and Adam Jones for visits. After visiting multiple teams a few weeks ago, Breeland remains unsigned.

If Gaines did suffer an injury that would keep him out for most of the season, the Browns may revisit with one of the two cornerbacks and may feel more inclined to sign one of the cornerbacks to a contract.

It is still early in the process and the Browns are still unsure of the extent of Gaines’ injury. But if the injury is as serious as it looked, it may not be a good sign for Gaines.