For the second week in a row, the Cleveland Browns gathered on the field around a seriously injured teammate.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah had to be stabilized and taken off the field on a cart after hurting his neck while making a tackle during the third quarter of Cleveland’s 29-24 win against the Baltimore Ravens.
Owusu-Koramoah was injured at the end of a play when he took a hard hit while trying to tackle Ravens running back Derrick Henry.
A team spokesman said Owusu-Koramoah, in his fourth season out of Notre Dame, had movement in his arms and legs when he was transported to University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. He will stay overnight as a precaution, the team added.
Owusu-Koramoah, who was wearing a Guardian Cap over his helmet, raised a fist as he was driven to the tunnel at Huntington Bank Field, which brought some relief to Browns fans.
Seeing Owusu-Koramoah, the team’s leading tackler, having his face mask removed and being strapped to a backboard was upsetting for the Browns.
“That’s one of my best friends on the team,” defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo said. “To see him down hurt me. All I can do is pray and play for him.” “Very scary anytime that happens,” said Browns coach Kevin Stefanski.
A week earlier, the Browns lost quarterback Deshaun Watson for the season due to a ruptured right Achilles tendon on a running play.
Browns star Myles Garrett mentioned that he spoke briefly with Owusu-Koramoah before he was taken away.
“I saw the hit as it happened,” Garrett said. “It was a violent collision between two strong, powerful men. I think JOK just went low, caught him on the side of the head a little bit, and that caused his head to whip back. It’s part of the game.”
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward was placed in concussion protocol after the game. This is the sixth documented concussion for Ward during his time in the NFL. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and a first-round draft pick from Ohio State.
