Injury bug bites, but doesn't poison Browns poised for playoff berth
It is no secret that the Cleveland Browns have an injury bug problem. Just this week, the Browns lost backup defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo, along with a collection of other injuries that would doom most teams. To put it into context, the Browns have lost 23% of the roster to season-ending injuries. Yet, somehow, Cleveland sits […]
It is no secret that the Cleveland Browns have an injury bug problem.
Just this week, the Browns lost backup defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo, along with a collection of other injuries that would doom most teams. To put it into context, the Browns have lost 23% of the roster to season-ending injuries. Yet, somehow, Cleveland sits 8-5, second in the AFC North, and poised for a playoff berth. It could be because the Browns have what wide receiver Amari Cooper describes as the X-factor.
"Winning in the NFL is about much more than simply having the talent from your starting guys," Cooper said. "Camaraderie plays a huge part. Drive, motivation, it’s a lot of different factors, and I would say what I’ve seen from this team, the resilience and all those other factors that I just mentioned, we seem to check every box.”
Amari Cooper's injury struggles
Cooper hasn't avoided his share of injuries this season. Most recently, he had to miss the second half of the Browns and Los Angeles Rams' Dec. 3 matchup with a concussion.
That was the game where Flacco burst onto the scene, showcasing his ability to push the ball downfield — something the Browns haven't had all season.
Against the Jacksonville Jaguars, when Cooper got a full game with Flacco, he tallied seven catches for 77 yards with his longest catch being a 17-yard scamper.
"The prototypical type quarterback," Cooper said of Flacco. "Tall, great arm, can look and read defenses. You know, he has a lot of great attributes, so I would say it’s going really well. I think the timing is impeccable. Obviously, you know, the sky’s the limit in terms of communication and things like that, but it’s looking good.”
However, it was injuries that forced Flacco into the position of Browns' starting quarterback.
Still, Cooper isn't worried. Injuries are part of the game. He's letting Cleveland's chips fall where they may.
"It’s just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes," he said. "You’re used to guys getting hurt, but guys getting hurt for the season. Sometimes it just happens that way.”
Injuries or not, Cleveland is defining its destiny.
Browns’ recent comments prove they have the ultimate trust in Joe Flacco
When the Cleveland Browns needed someone to answer the call, Joe Flacco got off his couch and played.
