CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns’ defensive line was already decimated by suspensions to tackle Larry Ogunjobi and pass-rushing end Myles Garrett for their roles in a brawl with the Pittsburgh Steelers last Thursday night, and they did not get any good news on the injury front following Friday’s practice.
Veteran defensive end Olivier Vernon was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland and will miss his third straight week after suffering a knee injury in a loss at the Denver Broncos on November 2.
And the back end of the defense is not looking much healthy than the front.
In addition to ruling out Vernon for Sunday’s game, the Browns declared that safety Eric Murray will miss his fourth consecutive game while working his way back from mid-season knee surgery.
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Along with Vernon and Murray being declared out for the Dolphins game, the Browns listed linebacker Joe Schobert as questionable because of a groin injury. Also, the Browns will not activate tight end David Njoku from injured reserve in time to play Sunday.
Njoku returned to the practice field earlier this week after missing eight games due to a broken wrist.
Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay, right, tries to avoid Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98) during the first half of a game at Empower Field in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 3, 2019.
Jack Dempsey/AP
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Although the Browns are thin on the defensive front, as tackle Sheldon Richardson is the only starter who will play Sunday, coach Freddie Kitchens is expecting everyone to pick up the slack left behind by Ogunjobi, Garrett and Vernon, especially because at 4-6, the team is in need of a victory to remain in the hunt for a postseason berth.
“I think we try to do the best we can offensively every week,” Kitchens said Thursday. “I think our defense tries to do the best that they can every week. I think special teams tries to do the best that they can every week.
“We are not going to change anything. We are going to try to be the most efficient as we can on offense, defense and special teams. We want to score one more point than the opponent. However we get there is fine.”
In addition to the injury designations, the Browns elevated defensive tackle Brandin Bryant and end Porter Gustin to the active roster from the practice squad.
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