Cleveland Browns Olivier Vernon ruptured achilles, out for the season

Olivier Vernon will miss the Cleveland Browns playoff run

The Cleveland Browns are in the postseason for the first time since 2002 after a 24-22 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

But they lost starting defensive end Olivier Vernon along the way, according to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. It’s a ruptured Achilles that will sideline Vernon for the rest of the season and will require a long rehabilitation after surgery.

Vernon was a force to be reckoned with this season, recording nine sacks along the way. He’s also been instrumental in the run game, with 12 tackles for loss. When Myles Garrett was sidelined with COVID-19, Vernon stepped up and hasn’t slowed down since.

Vernon is a free agent after this season.

Defensive end Adrian Clayborn, who started two games for the Browns this season, has been impressive in spots defensively. He has 3.5 sacks on the season as well as a forced fumble. In the absence of Vernon, Clayborn’s workload will be expanded throughout Cleveland’s playoff run.

In additional injury news, rookie wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones has a concussion but could be cleared in time for the next game.

Additionally, Cleveland’s defense could possibly get several impact players activated off the COVID-19 reserve list. Cornerback Denzel Ward and linebackers Malcolm Smith and B.J. Goodson could possibly be eligible for a return, since their 10-day mandatory quarantine is over, as long as they are no longer experiencing any symptoms. While the return of these players is not definite, since they did test positive for the virus, they would certainly help a depleted defense.

On Sunday Night Football, the Browns will rematch the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field, where the Browns have lost 17 straight.