Carson Schwesinger’s fourth-quarter heroics in Sunday’s loss to the Jets look even more impressive now that the Browns know what he was dealing with.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Schwesinger was playing through an ankle sprain, and that the injury happened before he buried Jets quarterback Geno Smith for what should have been a game-sealing turnover. Schwesinger forced the fumble on the sack with about 4 minutes left in regulation, moments after Cleveland had pulled in front 12-10 at MetLife Stadium.
The timing made the play feel like the kind that can swing a game for good. Instead, the Browns were undone by a special teams mistake from center Rex Sunahara and punter Corey Bojorquez, which handed the Jets better field position. Braelon Allen’s 22-yard touchdown run ended up deciding a 17-12 Jets win.
Schwesinger was clearly hobbled in the fourth quarter, but he stayed on the field anyway. Rapoport said the rookie linebacker’s injury is a Grade 1 sprain, and his status for Week 6 will depend on how he responds. He added, “He is not ruled out for this week,” though availability depends on how he responds.
That sets up a tricky week for Cleveland, especially with an AFC North meeting against the Baltimore Ravens ahead. The Browns could be managing more than one key defensive absence if top defensive lineman Mason Graham is also unavailable.
The concern with Schwesinger is bigger than just one game because of how much he means to the defense. He played all 70 defensive snaps against the Jets and has been on the field for 100 percent of Cleveland’s defensive snaps this season. Quincy Williams has also been a big part of the linebacker group, but the depth behind them is thin.
Easton Mascarenas-Arnold has logged only five defensive snaps since the opener. Winston Reid has played just one this season. Rookie Justin Jefferson has not played a defensive snap at all.
Cleveland has more options up front if Graham can’t go. Maliek Collins is starting to look like the player who was so effective when healthy last season, and Adin Huntington has taken advantage of increased work while Mike Hall Jr. rehabs his own ankle injury.
Inside linebacker is another story. Schwesinger and Williams are the kind of players the Browns can’t easily replace, which is why the team has to be careful here. After Sunday’s effort, the message is pretty clear: Cleveland has to protect Schwesinger from himself and make sure that ankle doesn’t turn into something bigger.
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