Maliek Collins' Rehab Progress Monitored by the Cleveland Browns

In the NFL, a key player’s injury can reshape a team’s season—but a well-managed rehab process can turn a setback into a comeback. For the Cleveland Browns, defensive tackle Maliek Collins has been a cornerstone of their defensive line since signing in 2022, using his strength and quickness to clog run lanes and pressure quarterbacks. So when Collins suffered a knee sprain in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens, the Browns sprang into action, assembling a top-tier medical team and a personalized rehab plan to get him back on the field as safely and quickly as possible. What sets this process apart is the team’s constant monitoring—every step of Collins’ recovery, from daily physical therapy to strength tests, is tracked closely by coaches, trainers, and front office staff. Maliek Collins' Rehab Progress Monitored by the Cleveland Browns explores how this hands-on approach works, the milestones Collins has hit, and why his return is so critical to the Browns’ defensive success.

Maliek Collins' Rehab Progress Monitored by the Cleveland Browns begins with the injury and initial rehab plan—laying the groundwork for recovery. Collins’ injury occurred in the third quarter of the Ravens game, when he was tackled while making a tackle on running back Lamar Jackson. Initial tests revealed a Grade 2 MCL sprain, a common knee injury that typically requires 4-6 weeks of rehab. The Browns’ medical staff, led by head athletic trainer Joe Sheehan, immediately crafted a plan focused on three phases: reducing inflammation and pain in the first week, rebuilding strength and flexibility in weeks 2-4, and gradually reintroducing football-specific movements in weeks 5-6. From the start, the plan was tailored to Collins’ body—his medical history (he’d never had a major knee injury before) and his playing style (which relies on sudden lateral movements) were factored into every exercise. “We don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach,” Sheehan said. “For Maliek, the goal is to not just get him back, but to make sure his knee is stronger than it was before, so he’s less likely to re-injure it.” Collins began daily sessions at the Browns’ training facility, working with a dedicated physical therapist on exercises like leg lifts, squats, and balance drills—all designed to target the muscles around the knee.

A key part of the Browns’ monitoring system is data-driven tracking—measuring progress with precision. The Browns don’t just rely on observation to gauge Collins’ rehab; they use cutting-edge technology to collect and analyze data on every aspect of his recovery. Collins wears a biometric sensor during therapy sessions that tracks his range of motion, muscle activation, and even the force he puts on his knee during exercises. This data is fed into a system that the medical staff and coaches review daily—if the sensor shows that Collins’ knee is handling less force than expected during squats, for example, the team adjusts his workout to avoid overexertion. The Browns also use 3D motion capture to analyze his movement patterns, comparing his current form (say, during a pass-rush drill) to footage from before the injury to ensure he’s not compensating for the knee. “Data takes the guesswork out of rehab,” said Sheehan. “We can see exactly how his knee is responding, and that lets us make smarter decisions about when to push harder and when to slow down.” By Week 3 of rehab, the data showed Collins had regained 90% of his range of motion and 85% of his quadriceps strength—milestones that put him ahead of schedule.

Maliek Collins' Rehab Progress Monitored by the Cleveland Browns also includes coaches’ involvement—aligning rehab with on-field needs for the Cleveland Browns. For the Cleveland Browns, Collins’ rehab isn’t just a medical process; it’s a football process, and the coaching staff plays an active role in monitoring his progress. Defensive line coach Chris Kiffin attends at least one of Collins’ rehab sessions per week, observing his movements and providing feedback on how to translate exercises to game situations. For example, when Collins began working on lateral shuffles (a key part of pass rushing), Kiffin suggested adjusting his stance to match what he uses during games, ensuring the rehab work directly transfers to the field. Head coach Kevin Stefanski also checks in regularly, not just on Collins’ physical progress, but on his mental state—asking how he’s feeling and whether he’s ready to take on more. “The coaches need to know when Maliek is ready to practice, because that affects our game plan,” Kiffin said. “By being part of the rehab process, we can make sure he’s not just medically cleared, but football-ready.” For the Cleveland Browns, this collaboration between medical staff and coaches ensures that Collins’ return will be seamless—he’ll step back into the defense knowing exactly what’s expected of him, without missing a beat on strategy.

Another critical aspect of the monitoring is football-specific drills—bridging rehab and game day for the Cleveland Browns. By Week 4 of rehab, Collins moved beyond basic therapy and into drills that mimic what he does on the field. Under the watchful eye of Sheehan and Kiffin, he began practicing pass-rush moves (like his signature spin move), tackling dummy players, and even participating in light team drills with other defensive linemen. These sessions are closely monitored for any signs of discomfort—if Collins winces during a spin move, for example, the team pauses to adjust his technique or scale back the drill. The Browns also use video review during these sessions, showing Collins footage of his drills to help him refine his form. “The hardest part of rehab is getting back to game speed,” Collins said after a recent drill. “But having the coaches and trainers right there, watching every move, makes me feel confident that I’m doing it safely.” For the Cleveland Browns, these football-specific drills are a key milestone—they signal that Collins is moving from recovery to preparation, and that his return to game action is getting closer. The team has even started including him in defensive meetings again, so he stays up to date on the game plan while he rehabs.

Maliek Collins' Rehab Progress Monitored by the Cleveland Browns also highlights mental health support—keeping Collins focused for the Cleveland Browns. The Browns recognize that rehab isn’t just physical; it’s mental, and they’ve made sure Collins has the support he needs to stay positive and motivated. The team’s sports psychologist meets with him weekly, helping him manage the frustration of being sidelined and stay focused on his milestones. Collins also leans on his teammates—defensive end Myles Garrett, who has gone through his own rehab (for a shoulder injury), often joins him for post-therapy workouts, offering encouragement and sharing tips. “It’s easy to get down when you’re not playing, but the team has kept me involved every step of the way,” Collins said. “Whether it’s meeting with the psychologists or working out with Myles, I never feel like I’m going through this alone.” For the Cleveland Browns, this mental health support is just as important as the physical rehab—it ensures that Collins returns not just physically ready, but mentally sharp, too. A player who’s confident and focused is less likely to make mistakes or hold back on the field, which is critical for a defensive tackle in the thick of the AFC North race.

Maliek Collins' Rehab Progress Monitored by the Cleveland Browns wraps up with the road ahead—anticipating his return. As of Week 8, Collins has hit all his rehab milestones and is on track to return to game action in Week 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers—a key divisional matchup. The Browns’ monitoring will continue right up until kickoff: he’ll undergo one final MRI to confirm his knee is fully healed, and he’ll participate in full practices the week before the game to prove he’s ready. For the Browns, Collins’ return can’t come soon enough—without him, the defensive line has struggled to stop the run (ranking 22nd in the league in rushing yards allowed per game) and has seen a drop in interior pass rush (down 3 sacks from the same point last season). “Maliek is the glue of our defensive line,” Stefanski said. “Having him back will make us better across the board.” For Collins, the months of monitored rehab have been a reminder of why he plays football—and why he’s grateful for the Browns’ support. “This team didn’t just fix my knee,” he said. “They supported me every step of the way, and that’s something I’ll never forget.” When Collins takes the field against the Steelers, it won’t just be a comeback for him—it’ll be a testament to the Browns’ commitment to their players, and to the power of a well-monitored, well-supported rehab process.