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Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Maliek Collins was carted off the field against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Cleveland Browns’ defense suffered a significant blow against the San Francisco 49ers, with veteran defensive tackle Maliek Collins getting carted off in the second half.
Collins went down awkwardly while rushing the passer. He appeared to grab his right knee and trainers quickly came out for Collins. He was carted off and the Browns ruled him out for the rest of the contest.
Former 49ers DL Maliek Collins was injured and several 49ers went over to see him before he was carted off to the locker room
Collins has become a significant part of the Browns’ defensive front. He is second on the team in sacks with 6.5 sacks this season. Collins added 24 tackles and seven tackles for loss. The 6-foot-2, 310-pound defensive tackle notched a grade of 75.0 on Pro Football Focus, which put him at No. 13 among defensive tackles in the NFL. Collins was coming off a 2.5 sack game against the Raiders.
“He’s rushing his behind off,” Browns star Myles Garrett said of Collins. “I think we’re really playing off each other, and we have great chemistry. I’m looking forward to seeing how far he can take his season as well, because him and Mase [Mason Graham] are running games at a high level, winning at a high level, and then whatever we can communicate and run games between each other as a unit, it’s really come special very quickly, and I’m just happy to see him doing his thing. He’s one of the most unique rushers I’ve had the privilege to be with the combination of finesse and power.”
Browns Star Myles Garrett Credited DL Teammates
Garrett has been the focus of the stellar Browns’ defense this season. He came into Sunday with a league-leading 18 sacks and has the NFL single-season record in his sights. Garrett credited his teammates for his success.
“Really, it’s all thanks to my teammates. I wouldn’t be here in the position I’m in to even challenge the record without them. Those guys have helped elevate my game, and hopefully I’ve helped elevate them as well,” Garrett said. “The level of chemistry and synergy that we’ve been rolling with, especially after the Vikings, after the Steelers, I think I got back healthy, and guys were feeling good and we’ve really been playing up to our potential since then.”
The Browns do have some depth at defensive tackle with Collins out. Rookie Mason Graham has improved every week and Mike Hall Jr. will also be in the mix more prominently after returning from a knee injury. Veteran Shelby Harris is also in the rotation.
Browns Banged Up on Both Lines
The Browns were also dealt a blow on the offensive line against the 49ers. Offensive tackle Jack Conklin exited in the first half with a concussion — his second of the season. KT Leveston entered to fill in for Conklin.
The Browns were also alternating Teven Jenkins and Wyatt Teller at offensive guard. Cleveland is already without starting left tackle Dawand Jones, who is out for the season with a knee/hamstring injury.
It was an unfortunate development for rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. He wasn’t sacked often against the 49ers but faced pressure. The Browns also had a failed fourth-down try on their side of the field that turned into a San Francisco touchdown in the second half.
J.R. DeGroote JR DeGroote is a staff writer for Heavy.com, where he has covered the NFL, NBA, and trending sports stories since 2019. His work focuses on some of the most passionate fanbases in sports, including reporting on the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers. More about J.R. DeGroote
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