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Cleveland Browns: 5 Players who increased their stock in Preseason Week 2 Victory

By Sam Penix

Aug 22, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back John Kelly (49) scores a touchdown in front of the defense of New York Giants cornerback Rodarius Williams (25) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back John Kelly (49) scores a touchdown in front of the defense of New York Giants cornerback Rodarius Williams (25) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 22: Outside linebacker Elijah Lee #52 of the Cleveland Browns stops running back Gary Brightwell #37 of the New York Giants just short of scoring an extra point during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Giants 17-13. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

3. LB Elijah Lee

The Browns defense is designed to use linebackers less than most teams, but this wasn’t exactly what Cleveland had in mind. The position group has all of a sudden become ravaged by injuries. Backup MIKE Jacob Phillips will miss the season, and now it seems like Montrel Meander may suffer the same fate.

Sione Takitaki missed the game due to a hamstring injury (joining the approximately 28 other Browns players dealing with hamstring issues), and rookie Tony Fields II hasn’t practiced in a while because of a foot injury and seems destined to land on injured reserve.

That left the team with five LBs to use on Sunday, and that number is a bit misleading since Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah started and didn’t play nearly as much as in Week 1. Lee actually went down on a play, but did return.

He was a core special teamer last season, but functioned as the Browns best linebacker against New York. With his special teams ability and the rash of injuries to the LB room, Lee just might hang around. He won’t play over JOK, Malcolm Smith, or Anthony Walker, but having quality depth is important, and the Browns would probably like to keep Lee around since they’ve lost other special teamers this offseason.

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