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-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.”
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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