Cleveland Browns may have lost more than just a game against 49ers with latest injury update in Shedeur Sanders’ first start at home
A hit that the Cleveland Browns couldn’t take on their defense as they drop to 3-9 on the season.
The Cleveland Browns once again had a chance to stack wins in Week 13 with the San Francisco 49ers making the cross-country trip. Instead, Cleveland was handed a 26-8 loss, dropping the Browns to 3–9 on the season.
Shedeur Sanders made his first home start for the Browns after picking up a win in his first career start last week against the Las Vegas Raiders. Sanders went 16-of-25 passing for 149 yards and a 34-yard touchdown to fellow rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr.
Browns losing DT Maliek Collins is a real gut punch from their Week 13 game
Collins went down early in the third quarter with what looked to be a knee injury that resulted in him being carted off the field. The Browns wasted no time ruling the defensive starter out, which usually signals a potentially serious injury. After the game, Kevin Stefanski said Collins would need more testing on what is being called a quad injury. Collins was facing the team he last played for during the 2024 season. Cleveland signed him to a two-year, $20 million deal in free agency after moving on from Dalvin Tomlinson last offseason.
So far this year, Collins has had the best season of his NFL career and has been playing at an All-Pro level. The veteran defensive tackle has 24 tackles and 6.5 sacks, and his 75.0 Pro Football Focus grade ranks 13th out of 128 qualifying defensive linemen.
Cleveland’s defensive line is the clear strength of the team, and Collins has been a major part of that. Myles Garrett’s 19 sacks through 12 games are due in part to finally having the best help he’s ever had up front. The additions of Collins and rookie DT Mason Graham have transformed the unit, and losing Collins for any length of time is a major blow.
The Browns will now have to lean more heavily on Mike Hall Jr. and Shelby Harris while Collins is sidelined. Cleveland not only lost Shedeur Sanders’ first home start, but they also lost their standout defensive tackle in the middle of a career year. The Browns return home next week for a matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
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