The Cleveland Browns will face one of their toughest opponents of the 2024 season with their playoff hopes officially dead in Week 15 when they host the Kansas City Chiefs.
After making a miraculous postseason run in 2023, the Browns failed to replicate that success this season, as they fell to 3-10 last week.
Following their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland will also be without one of their key young defenders for the remainder of the season. Cornerback Greg Newsome II, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Steelers, was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday.
After the game on Sunday, coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that Newsome would miss some time with the injury, but it was unclear how long. Now, with no chance of reaching the postseason, the Browns may have just decided to shut him down to avoid any further injury risk.
It's still unclear if Newsome's injury will require surgery or hold him out past the end of this season.
Newsome now joins a long list of starters who have sustained substantial injuries this season and landed on injured reserve. With one year remaining on the 2021 first-round pick's contract, Newsome will likely be playing for a big extension in 2025, when the Browns will hope to become contenders in the AFC once again.
With roster space freed up after Newsome's injury and the Browns deciding to release receiver Kadarius Toney, the team signed receivers Kaden Davis and Jaelen Gill to their practice squad. Both players may get the chance to earn spots on the roster in the final four weeks.