THE Cleveland Browns have suffered a major blow after a star player suffered a significant Achilles injury during training.
Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. was carted off the field during Tuesday’s practice.
Martin Emerson Jr. has been ruled out of the season with a significant Achilles injury[/caption]
Emerson suffered a non-contact left leg injury while covering wide receiver Diontae Johnson to go on route[/caption]
He covered his face in agony as he was carted from the field[/caption]
It has since emerged that Emerson ill miss the coming season after an MRI confirmed that he ruptured an Achilles tendon.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said before Wednesday’s practice that Emerson will have surgery, but a date has not been determined.
The 24-year-old Mississippi State product was in coverage during 7-on-7 drills when he suddenly dropped to the ground screaming in agony.
Emerson immediately took off his helmet and tossed it in frustration, before covering his face while being carted away.
He suffered a non-contact left leg injury while covering wide receiver Diontae Johnson to go on route.
A third-round pick, and 68 overall, of the Browns in the 2022 NFL draft, Emerson was set to enter the final year of his rookie contract.
Emerson had just shared his hopes for the upcoming season with reporters after failing to build on his breakout 2023 performance in 2024.
He has appeared in 50 games with 33 starts, recording 202 tackles, 4 interceptions and 34 pass breakups.
Speaking with reporters before it happened on Tuesday, Emerson said he was hampered by some injuries, which he neglected to specify.
He explained: “As the year went along, my body was just kind of on a downward spiral.
“Just had to do some soul searching, man. Pray, stay close to God and just work my tail off.
“Honestly, that´s the only thing that could kind of get me out of that slump, was the work. Put in the work and just come back and be ready.”
If the Browns don’t decide to keep him, he will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
He has $4.5 million in career earnings over three NFL seasons.
Coach Stefanski will likely promote nickelback Greg Newsome II opposite Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward with the first-team defense.
Meanwhile, the Browns already have their hands full after making headlines all summer.
The team has a five-player loaded quarterback room, including four new players in Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders and the injured DeShaun Watson.
Despite Watson – who is also out with an Achilles tear – the four newbies are in contention for a starting spot.
One of the four will be dropped from the roster before playing the the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7.
It appears most likely that either Gabriel or Sanders, both rookies, will find themselves off the Browns roster by the time the season starts.
NFL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
(All times ET)
Thur 4 Sept
8.20 pm – Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Fri 5 Sept
8pm – Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
Sun 7 Sept
1pm – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
1pm – Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
1pm – Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
1pm – Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots
1pm – Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
1pm – Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
1pm – New York Giants at Washington Commanders
1pm – Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars
4.05 pm – Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos
4.05 pm – San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
4.25 pm – Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
4.25 pm – Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams
8.20 pm – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Mon 8 Sept
8.15 pm – Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
