Cleveland Browns 3 biggest needs after first live scrimmages
By Greg Newland
Cleveland Browns biggest needs post-scrimmage
The 2020 training camp is full steam ahead in Berea, and so far, it has not treated the Cleveland Browns very well. The weather has been awful, the offense has struggled to click, and the injuries continue to pile up.
The offense is always the last piece to come together, but with a shortened and limited offseason, first-year head coach Kevin Stefanski will have his hands full. Additionally, the Browns drew the short straw having to play one of the Super Bowl favorites, the Baltimore Ravens, in week one.
The injury bug started with star defensive end Myles Garrett, who tweaked his hamstring and has missed multiple days of practice since. This likely isn’t a huge concern, but after all the issues hamstrings caused in 2019, it’s tough to remain optimistic. After 10 sacks, a disappointing end to 2019, and a major contract extension this offseason, fans were hopeful for a defensive MVP caliber year from Garrett.
The next injury came when Mack Wilson (linebacker), went for a high tackle on pro-bowl running back Nick Chubb. Stefanski was irritated by the tackle and had a conversation with Wilson after. Chubb is now in concussion protocol, which isn’t a huge deal right this second, but we all know after the first concussion the next ones are much easier to get. Now every time Chubb takes a hit this season everyone will gasp to make sure he doesn’t have another.
Finally, on Tuesday afternoon the biggest concern happened. Wilson (linebacker), who was the expected leader of an already weak linebacking core went down with a knee injury. It has since been reported that it was a severe hyperextension, but season-ending surgery is being considered.
These three injuries on top of Andrew Billings and Drew Forbes opting out of the season because of COVID-19 is pilling up quickly. As always, it’s next man up, but it has created a few more holes on the roster as the Browns enter the 2020 season. Check below for the three biggest needs after the first few live scrimmage sessions.