The Browns took a tough blow Sunday-not just on the scoreboard, but in the trenches. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins, who’s been a force in his first year with Cleveland, was carted off during the 26-8 loss to the 49ers with what’s now confirmed to be a season-ending quad injury. Head coach Kevin Stefanski delivered the news Monday, adding that Collins will undergo surgery.
Maliek Collins is out for the season with a quad injury pic.twitter.com/eYaFSNe6GE
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 1, 2025
“Very disappointed for Maliek,” Stefanski said. “He’s obviously been playing such good football and he provides great leadership for this football team. Disappointed for him, but he will bounce back.”
That leadership and production Stefanski mentioned? It wasn’t just talk.
Collins had been turning in arguably the best season of his 10-year career. In 12 games, he notched 13 quarterback hits, 6.5 sacks, 25 tackles, and a fumble recovery-numbers that speak to both his disruptive presence up front and his consistency.
He was a key cog in a Browns defense that’s leaned heavily on its front four to generate pressure and control the line of scrimmage.
For a player who just arrived in Cleveland this season, Collins wasted no time making his mark. He brought veteran savvy, a relentless motor, and the kind of interior push that doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet but absolutely shows up on tape. Whether collapsing the pocket or holding his ground against the run, Collins was a tone-setter.
Over the course of his decade in the league, Collins has built a resume that includes 264 tackles, 101 quarterback hits, 37 sacks, a forced fumble, nine fumble recoveries, and an interception. And while those career numbers show his durability and production, it was his 2025 campaign that looked like a defining chapter-until now.
With Collins sidelined, the Browns are expected to turn to Shelby Harris to fill the starting role at defensive tackle. Harris brings experience and versatility, but there’s no sugarcoating the loss of Collins. His presence on the field-and in the locker room-will be missed.
In a season where Cleveland has leaned on its defense to stay in the playoff conversation, losing a player like Collins this late in the year is a gut punch. But if there’s a silver lining, it’s that Collins has shown the kind of resilience throughout his career that suggests he’ll be back. And if this season was any indication, he’ll come back with plenty left in the tank.