Browns LB Owusu-Koramoah suffers 'scary' neck injury, will spend night in hospital as precaution
Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) is taken off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Credit: AP/David Richard
CLEVELAND — For the second week in a row, the Cleveland Browns gathered on the field and encircled a seriously injured teammate.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah had to be immobilized and carted off the field Sunday after injuring his neck while making a tackle in the third quarter of Cleveland's 29-24 victory against the Baltimore Ravens.
Owusu-Koramoah got hurt at the end of a play when he took the brunt of a blow as he tried to tackle Ravens running back Derrick Henry.
A team spokesman said Owusu-Koramoah, in his fourth season out of Notre Dame, had movement in his arms and legs when he was taken to University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. He will be kept overnight as a precaution, the team said.
Owusu-Koramoah, who was wearing a Guardian Cap over his helmet, raised a fist as he was being driven to the tunnel in Huntington Bank Field, a moment that brought some relief to fans of the Browns.
The sight of Owusu-Koramoah, the team's leading tackler, having his face mask removed and being strapped to a backboard was upsetting to the Browns.
“That's one of my best friends on the team,” defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo said. “To see him down, hurt me. All I can do is pray and play for him.”
Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) is taken off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Credit: AP/David Richard
“Very scary anytime that happens,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said.
A week ago, the Browns lost quarterback Deshaun Watson for the season when he ruptured his right Achilles tendon on a running play.
Browns star end Myles Garrett said he spoke briefly with Owusu-Koramoah before he was taken away.
“I saw the hit as it happened,” Garrett said. “It was a violent collision and two strong, powerful men. I think JOK just went low, caught him on the side of the head a little bit and kind of whipped his head back. It's part of the game.”
Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) is checked on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Credit: AP/David Richard
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward was placed in concussion protocol following the game. This is the sixth documented concussion while in the NFL for Ward, a three-time Pro Bowler and first-round draft pick from Ohio State.
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