This is not the news that the Cleveland Browns wanted to hear. Their depth on the defensive line took a hit over the past week as both Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas are expected to miss an extended period of time with knee injuries.
Wright’s injury came during Cleveland’s win over the Jets last Thursday while Thomas’ came during practice on Saturday. Surgery is reportedly on the table for both players and it is considered likely that they will miss during the regular season.
The Browns were counting on contributions from both players as the defense looks to improve upon last year’s disastrous outing. Cleveland remade their defensive front this past off-season. Out are Jadeveon Clowney, Perrion Winfrey, and Taven Bryan. Replacing them is a group consisting of Dalvin Tomlinson, Za’Darius Smith, and Ogbo Okoronkwo. Wright and Thomas were expected to play supporting roles in the new-look Browns defense.
In addition to the new faces on the defensive line, Jim Schwartz is now calling the shots on defense. For Schwartz’s defense to work properly, there is a certain level of talent required on the line. Quality depth is also a requirement and being down two players currently is far from optimal. The Browns have seen what it is like to be shorthanded up front in the past and that is not something they want to repeat this season. Their approach this past offseason was crafted to prevent that from happening yet again.
This is not necessarily a death blow to Cleveland’s defense. Although the Browns are much better off having both Wright and Thomas available to them than the alternative, which unfortunately is the case currently. Expect Cleveland to add at least one player while they navigate the present state of their defensive line.
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