Cleveland’s defensive backfield loses yet another key member, as the Browns have placed Grant Delpit on injured reserve. Delpit suffered a groin injury in Sunday’s win over Jacksonville and will now miss the final four games of the regular season. Cleveland could have Delpit’s services for the postseason, should they qualify as expected.
The timing of Delpit’s injury could not be worse. Cleveland recently signed Delpit to a three-year $36 million extension, and he was expected to be a key part of the Browns’ defense in their push to the playoffs. Not having Delpit is going to make things more difficult for Cleveland when it comes to the defensive side of the ball.
Cleveland faces a somewhat unknown opponent level over the rest of the season. Justin Fields has shown promise at times but has also been incredibly underwhelming. C.J. Stroud is clearly the best rookie and is proving to be one of the league’s best young quarterbacks. However, a defense with the talent of Cleveland’s could give him quite a test. It is still unknown whether Aaron Rodgers will somehow make a return this season, and that could come against the Browns. Jake Browning is proving to be a competent option in Joe Burrow’s absence, which could make the season’s final game more of a toss-up than anyone thought a few weeks ago.
It is not that Delpit is an elite player by any means. It is that Cleveland continues to lose starting players on both sides of the ball. Removing starters and seeing talent gaps close will make games that were no-doubt wins somewhat questionable. The Browns will have to continue pushing through their injuries and overcome the adversity they find around every corner to come out victorious over the season’s final four weeks.
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