Cleveland Browns pass rushing depth is a bit thinner than normal as the team awaits word on whether or not Ogbo Okoronkwo’s injury is season-ending or not.
It’s a pectoral injury that Okoronkwo suffered two games ago against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the same game that Cleveland lost DT Mo Hurst for the season.
With the edge depth having taken a hit, the Browns should look into signing free-agent edge rusher Justin Houston. Houston was recently released by the Carolina Panthers at his request.
Houston is on the very back end of one of the more productive pass-rushing careers we’ve seen over the past decade. Now in season No. 13, Houston likely wants to reach the playoffs again. The Panthers are heading in the opposite direction, so he’s on the market in late December.
The first eight seasons of Houston’s career brought a total of 78.5 sacks together with the Kansas City Chiefs. Following that, Houston spent two years apiece with the Colts and Ravens.
Houston hasn’t played since the beginning of November but could come back and provide the Browns with depth off the edge. If the former Pro Bowler can give 10-15 snaps off the edge, that would be an ideal scenario.
Last season with the Ravens, Houston had 9.5 sacks and is sitting on just a half-sack this season. Ideally, Houston slides in as your fourth-edged player behind Alex Wright and ahead of rookie Isaiah McGuire.
The appeal of coming to play for an elite defense that should be in the postseason is Cleveland’s best selling point. It would make sense for the Browns to at least look down the avenue.
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