Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah hasn’t taken the field since he suffered a severe neck injury in Week 8 of the 2024 season. Owusu-Koramoah spent all of last season on the reserve/PUP list. It is now “doubtful at best” that the 26-year-old will play again, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports.
As a former Notre Dame standout, Owusu-Koramoah earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors and the Butkus Award in 2020. That convinced the Browns to spend a second-round pick on Owusu-Koramoah the next spring. He went on to establish himself as a cornerstone defender for the Browns over three and a half seasons.
Owusu-Koramoah combined for 20 starts in 25 games in his first two years in Cleveland. He hit the 70-tackle mark in both seasons while totaling 10 TFL and four forced fumbles. Owusu-Koramoah took on a bigger role in 2023, a career year in which he piled up 101 tackles, 20 TFL, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions in 16 games (13 starts).
Owusu-Koramoah’s breakout showing in 2023 led to both a Pro Bowl alternate nod and a new contract. The Browns awarded him a three-year extension worth up to $39MM in August 2024. With 61 tackles, 10 TFL, three sacks and a pick, Owusu-Koramoah continued to deliver over his first eight games that season. Unfortunately, it appears that eight-game stretch will go down as his last.
Owusu-Koramoah remains under contract with the Browns through 2027. He’s owed a guaranteed $11.03MM next season.
Bruhhhh
Unsurprising, but still a bummer. He was a very good player and a fun one to watch.
Is it the same injury that caused him to slide in the 2021 draft? He was a first round talent but fell to round 2 with medical red flags
He had a heart issue that was flagged at the combine. This neck injury was completely unrelated
Sorry to hear that Jeremiah. Good luck to you in the future…..
Such tragic news… Between this and Rondale Moore passing away (RIP), what an end to two what could have been great careers with still so much untapped potential and so many years left to tap into that potential… Smh.
So sad for the young man. By all accounts I’ve read, he is a very good guy, an extremely hard worker and a friend and leader to all.
Also sad for the Browns: imagine him and Schlessinger combining at LB. Or maybe switch JOK to safety? He was fast enough and good enough in coverage.