The Cleveland Browns placed linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on injured reserve on Saturday due to a neck injury.
The team has already ruled him out for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Because of this move, he will have to miss at least four games.
On Saturday, the Browns (2-6) also announced that cornerback Denzel Ward has passed the concussion protocol and will not have any injury designation for the game against the Chargers (4-3).
Both Owusu-Koramoah and Ward were hurt in the third quarter of last Sunday’s 29-24 victory at home against the Baltimore Ravens.
Owusu-Koramoah was carted off the field after colliding with Ravens running back Derrick Henry, whose right shoulder hit the linebacker’s head and neck area during a 10-yard run.
Owusu-Koramoah, who is 24, was taken to a local hospital and stayed overnight before being discharged on Monday.
He has started all eight games this season and leads the team with 61 tackles, along with three sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits.
The Browns chose Owusu-Koramoah in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft from Notre Dame. He has made 308 tackles, eight sacks, 40 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, three interceptions, and six forced fumbles in 49 games, with 41 of those being starts.
Ward, who is 27, was the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Ohio State alum has started all eight games this season, recording 15 tackles and a league-high 13 passes defensed.
He has had six documented concussions during his seven seasons in the NFL.
In his career, Ward has 288 tackles, 15 interceptions—two of which he returned for touchdowns—88 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries in 87 games, with 84 of those being starts. Two of the fumbles he recovered also led to touchdowns.
