Most teams including the Cleveland Browns are in the heart of training camp at this point. In fact, the Browns are now just a day away from opening the NFL season again the New York Jets in the Hall of Fame preseason game in Canton, Ohio.
Even though I’ll admit that I will watch every snap of the game, it’s not likely that the starters will get a ton of action. Despite the preseason being cut down to three games instead of four, most of the starter’s snaps will come in Weeks 2 and 3.
We’ve already seen injuries happen to superstars like Joe Burrow and Jalen Ramsey, and that’s the toughest call for organizations in the preseason. Is the live action in preseason worth the risk of injury?
The Browns have seemed to face the injury bug the last few years, especially on the defensive side of the ball. If this team wants to make a playoff run, these three players can’t get hurt.
Browns player that can’t get hurt No. 3: Amari Cooper
Even though the team is drastically improved at the receiver position with the addition of Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman, I’m not sold anyone is even close to stepping up if Amari Cooper goes down.
Donovan Peoples-Jones has increased his production each season, and expectations are high for Moore, but none have the route running or ball skills of Cooper.
It’s laughable at the lack of respect that Cooper gets on this roster, but I can assure you if he missed significant time in 2023, you would quickly see how talented he is.
An injury to Cooper could have completely derailed this roster in 2022, but it still would be a major hit if it happened in 2023.
Browns player that can’t get hurt No. 2: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
For a second player that can’t afford to get hurt, I put Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, but it’s really any starting linebacker. JOK just stands out because of his freakish athleticism which can’t be replaced. Not only can he protect the edge, but he's also very good in coverage in both man and zone.
For whatever reason, linebacker is an issue every single season with injuries. Last year Anthony Walker, JOK, Sione Takitaki, and Jacob Phillips all missed multiple games because of injuries.
On paper, this is a position that looks like there is a ton of depth for the Browns, but they are losing one guy away from being short very quickly.
There is no doubt that the third-year linebacker struggled in year two. JOK had multiple soft tissue injuries that seemed to bother him even when he toughed it out and played.
JOK has no issues of being undersized when healthy, but as soon as he loses some of that top-end speed, he does become average when shedding blockers to get to the ball carrier.
I loved this pick in 2021 and I think he can have a fantastic year if he can avoid the soft tissue injury that held him back so much in 2022.
Browns player that can’t get hurt No. 1: Myles Garrett
Many of you were expecting Deshaun Watson here, but to me, that is far too obvious. If your team's quarterback isn’t the No. 1 player you can’t afford to lose, then you are likely already participating for a draft pick in the 2023 season.
I love to give Myles Garrett a hard time because I think his leadership style is suspect, but there's no doubt that he is one of the most elite players in the league.
And while the Cleveland Browns did add Za’Darius Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo this offseason, it’s still going to be a gaping hole when Garrett isn’t on the field.
Up to this point (knock on wood), injuries haven’t been an issue. I would actually argue that he's on the field for a few too many snaps. I’m hopeful that Jim Schwartz will do a better job of resting Garrett so he can be more productive on third down when the unit needs him the most.
Garrett is a generational player. Anything less than 16 sacks in 2023 will be a disappointment, and because he has been so durable, he has likely lost some appreciation from fans.
This roster can take Garrett missing a week or two, but if it’s much more than that the lack of depth will catch up quickly. Even though Garrett has yet to have the 20-sack season we are all hoping for, he is a guy the offense has to account for on every single snap.