Through four games, the Cleveland Browns are in a pleasantly surprising place at 3-1. Cleveland has found ways to win in cinematic fashion over its last three games, and plenty have contributed in those contests. A playoff run may not be so far-fetched, given the hot start to the Todd Monken era.
But in the Browns’ Thursday night win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland lost stud defensive tackle Mason Graham during their first defensive series.
In a positive development, Graham’s knee injury was determined to be an MCL sprain, and he's not expected to be out for an extended period of time. On the plus side, rotational defensive lineman Adin Huntington played really well with extended reps against the Steelers, and that was very encouraging for what’s to come.
Adin Huntington showed the Browns he deserves a role even after Mason Graham returns
Huntington only played 158 defensive snaps for Cleveland as an undrafted rookie last season, but he did flash ability as an interior player. He had 15 combined tackles, a half sack, and one quarterback hit in 13 games. Huntington finished with a promising Pro Football Focus grade of 64.8 last year, demonstrating that if the chance presents itself, he’s capable of performing.
He showed that in Cleveland’s win over Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Huntington registered four combined tackles, a sack, and three quarterback hits over 48 defensive snaps, which was the most of his young NFL career. He was pressed into action after Graham and fellow defensive lineman Mike Hall Jr. both exited the game with injuries, and the defense barely missed a beat.
"Credit to Jacques [Cesaire] and the defensive staff for having those guys ready to go," Monken said the day after the game. "And that’s the NFL, you’re going to lose players in a game, you’re going to lose them for an extended period of time. And there’s a certain expectation of the position, and we don’t allow our coaches, and we’re not going to allow our players to make excuses. It doesn’t matter, next man up, and no one cares. And we got to put our best foot forward and give ourselves a chance to win.”
Going forward, Huntington could be a more than viable disruptor on the interior with his leverage and quickness. He could factor into the team's plan in obvious pass-rush situations even when Graham returns.
Huntington tallied 12.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss over the course of his last two collegiate seasons at Tulane and previously Louisiana-Monroe. Browns fans should keep an eye on him in the weeks ahead.
If Thursday night’s game was any indication of what lies ahead, the Browns may have something in Huntington, who would be yet another factor on Cleveland’s impressive defense.
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