2 min read • August 14, 2021
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Cleveland Browns
RB Nick Chubb -
The star running back suffered an MCL sprain in Week 4 and proceeded to miss four weeks, then returned after their Week 9 bye to finish the season off well. Despite likely residual laxity, Chubb should be fully healthy for 2021. Though splitting backfield time with Kareem Hunt is par for the course in Cleveland, he is still capable of RB1 production in this framework. Last year he finished with 1067 rush yards and twelve touchdowns in just 12 games, and should be able to build on that success in a healthy campaign.
WR Odell Beckham -
Beckham Jr suffered a torn ACL against Cincinnati and missed the rest of the 2020 season. The video was never clear, but we knew it was a torn ACL based on frame by frame analysis. In a recent offseason video analysis of Odell Beckham Jr. ACL rehab, we saw him making good progress. Beckham Jr., the man himself, responded and agreed with our analysis at the time. Four months after the ACL reconstruction, he demonstrated great athleticism in the video. He acknowledged my comment that deceleration/cutting are the key and that progress has yet to come. At this rate, Beckham Jr. was on pace to be ready and productive for the start of the 2021 season and will get even better as the year progresses. Remember, it is easier for a wide receiver to perform early off an ACL operation as opposed to a defensive player who has to react unlike offensive players who can dictate the play. Look for Beckham Jr. to have a productive 2021 season with a stronger finish in his second season under Kevin Stefanski. This could be the year he hits his stride in Cleveland.
OL Wyatt Teller -
The Brown guard dealt with multiple ailments in 2020. Teller was bothered by a calf injury that lingered for the majority of the season and then dealt with an ankle sprain costing him a total of five games as these issues lingered into their historic playoff run. Calf injuries linger through a season but are solved in an offseason, meaning the All-Pro should be healthy for 2021.
LB Jacob Phillips -
The report is that Phillips tore his biceps tendon and will likely miss the season. His team has already signed more linebacking help in William Harvey Jr. There is no video or other additional information, but the assumption is that this is a distal biceps tendon rupture, not proximal. One could play through a proximal rupture. Expect surgery to happen, but we wouldn’t necessarily write off Philips for the year. He could easily make a late season return in the second half of the year. If the team felt he could be useful, he would need to be kept on the injured reserve.
DE Jadveon Clowney -
Clowney endured an uneventful year in his first and only season with the Tennessee Titans. He was on the injury reports most weeks with an ailing knee that cost him two games before eventually being placed on IR for the rest of the season. Clowney's history starts with an early career microfracture and we questioned his longevity. Now coming off another knee scope, the question is if he can stay on the field. If he can, this would be a boon for the already stout Browns pass rushers. Myles Garrett will be the focal point which could free up Clowney for key opportunities. He is in a good position to start the 2021 season, but will need to work on his pass rushing as he’s dropped off from 9.0 sacks in 2018 to just 3.0 in 2019 and 0 in 2020.
S Ronnie Harrison -
Harrison dealt with multiple issues with his shoulder costing him an IR visit and four games.He also missed one game earlier in the year due to a concussion. The former Jaguar is currently nursing a hamstring injury and details are unknown on the severity. Harrison is looking to form a solid duo with free agent signing John Johnson III and comes into the 2021 season healthy.
S Grant Delpit -
The former LSU star tore his Achilles in camp last year and missed the entire 2020 season, but is expected to be ready for the 2021 season. Delphit avoided PUP and passed his physical but now has a hamstring issue in camp. The question is if this was due to compensation or just bad luck, and we suggest tempering optimism until we see more from this second year player. With Ronnie Harrison and John Johnson III starting, Delpit will have the opportunity to get his body right and work his way into the lineup.
CB Denzel Ward -
Ward suffered a calf injury that cost him three games, and also endured a battle with COVID that cost him two games down the stretch including one playoff game. These issues should be behind him now and he’s set to resume his role as the Browns’ top corner in this secondary. Ward has started just 12 games in each of his first three seasons, but is highly effective on the field when healthy.
CB Greedy Williams -
Williams suffered a shoulder injury in training camp and missed the entire 2020 season, due to an axillary nerve issue. When nerves don't recover quickly it can become a long term problem which explains him missing the entire year. Fortunately, the nerve in the shoulder that is responsible for the deltoid muscle usually returns fully and he should be able to contribute. It was unfortunate he missed all of the 2020 season but we do expect a full return for him in 2021.
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