CLEVELAND (AP) — 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.” “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-Koram.
