Maliek Collins' Season-Ending Blow Challenges the Cleveland Browns Depth

In the high-stakes world of the NFL, a single injury can upend a team’s season—and for the Cleveland Browns, that reality hit hard this week with the news that defensive tackle Maliek Collins will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. The injury, suffered during the third quarter of Sunday’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, not only robs the Browns of a key defensive playmaker but also exposes a critical gap in the team’s depth at a position that has been a strength all year. For a franchise fighting for a playoff spot, Collins’ absence is more than a setback—it’s a test of whether the Browns’ roster can withstand significant losses and keep competing at a high level. Maliek Collins' Season-Ending Blow Challenges the Cleveland Browns Depth examines the impact of the injury, the team’s options to fill the void, and what it means for their postseason aspirations.

Collins’ season-ending injury came at a particularly inopportune time for the Browns, as they enter the final stretch of the regular season with three divisional games left on the schedule. The 29-year-old defensive tackle had been a cornerstone of the Browns’ defensive line this year, recording 4.5 sacks, 18 quarterback pressures, and 32 tackles in 12 games. What made his presence even more valuable was his versatility: he could line up as a nose tackle in run defense or shift to a three-technique to rush the passer, giving defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz flexibility to adjust to different offenses. His absence was immediately felt in the second half of Sunday’s game, as the Steelers rushed for 87 yards in the final two quarters—nearly double their first-half total. “Maliek does things that don’t show up on the stat sheet,” Schwartz said in a post-game press conference. “He commands double teams, he clogs running lanes, and he makes everyone around him better. Losing him is a huge blow.” Maliek Collins' Season-Ending Blow Challenges the Cleveland Browns Depth emphasizes that Collins wasn’t just a productive player—he was a linchpin that held the Browns’ defensive line together.

The most pressing challenge for the Browns now is replacing Collins in their defensive rotation, a task that will require unproven players to step up in high-pressure situations. The team’s current depth at defensive tackle includes Dalvin Tomlinson, Jordan Elliott, and rookie Siaki Ika—all of whom have seen playing time this season but lack Collins’ experience and consistency. Tomlinson, a veteran signed in free agency, will likely move into Collins’ starting role, but he’s more of a run-stopping specialist than a pass-rushing threat, which could limit the Browns’ ability to generate interior pressure. Elliott, a fourth-year player, has shown flashes of potential (he recorded a sack in Sunday’s game) but has struggled with consistency, often disappearing for stretches of games. Ika, a third-round pick in this year’s draft, has spent most of the season on special teams and has yet to play more than 10 defensive snaps in a single game. “We have guys who can fill the spot, but it’s not about replacing Maliek—it’s about guys stepping into bigger roles and playing to their strengths,” Schwartz said. The Browns may also explore adding a free agent to bolster depth, with names like Sheldon Rankins and Ndamukong Suh being mentioned as potential targets. Maliek Collins' Season-Ending Blow Challenges the Cleveland Browns Depth highlights that the team’s ability to adapt will depend on whether these backup players can rise to the occasion.

For the Cleveland Browns, Collins’ season-ending injury is a test of the roster depth they’ve worked so hard to build in recent years. General manager Andrew Berry has prided himself on constructing a team that can withstand injuries, but this loss hits at a position where the Browns have little proven depth beyond their starters. The team’s decision to not re-sign backup defensive tackle Shelby Harris in the offseason now looks like a costly oversight, as Harris has gone on to record 3 sacks and 15 tackles for the Detroit Lions this year. “We felt like we had enough depth at the position,” Berry said when asked about the Harris decision earlier this season. “But injuries are part of the game, and you have to adjust.” The Cleveland Browns will now have to rely on their coaching staff to scheme around the loss, possibly using more defensive ends in pass-rushing situations or shifting to a 3-4 defense to reduce the burden on their interior linemen. This tactical adjustment could take time to implement, however, and may lead to growing pains in the next few games. Maliek Collins' Season-Ending Blow Challenges the Cleveland Browns Depth shows that the Cleveland Browns’ depth, once seen as a strength, is now being put to the ultimate test.

The injury also has implications for the Cleveland Browns’ playoff hopes, as they currently hold the seventh and final AFC wild-card spot with a 8-5 record. The Browns’ remaining schedule includes tough matchups against the Baltimore Ravens (who have the league’s top rushing offense) and the Kansas City Chiefs (who lead the NFL in points per game), both of which will require a strong defensive performance. Without Collins, the Browns’ ability to stop the run and pressure the quarterback will be compromised, making it harder to compete against these top teams. “We’re still in the playoff hunt, and we’re not going to let this injury derail our season,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “But we all know that we have to play better as a team to make up for Maliek’s absence.” The Cleveland Browns’ defense, which currently ranks 12th in the league in total yards allowed, will need to find a way to maintain that level of play without one of their best players. This will require contributions from every member of the defense, from the linebackers who will need to make more tackles behind the line of scrimmage to the secondary that will need to cover receivers for longer periods of time. Maliek Collins' Season-Ending Blow Challenges the Cleveland Browns Depth underscores that the Cleveland Browns’ playoff dreams now hinge on their ability to overcome adversity.

Looking ahead, the Browns’ response to Collins’ injury will define the remainder of their season. If Tomlinson, Elliott, and Ika can step up and play at a high level, the team could still make a deep playoff run. If not, the Browns may find themselves on the outside looking in when the postseason begins. For Collins, the focus is now on his recovery, with the team expecting him to be ready for training camp next year. “Maliek is a tough player, and he’s going to work his tail off to come back stronger,” Stefanski said. “We’re going to support him every step of the way.” For the Browns, this injury is a reminder of the fragility of an NFL season—and the importance of building true depth at every position. Maliek Collins' Season-Ending Blow Challenges the Cleveland Browns Depth concludes that while the Cleveland Browns face a significant challenge, they also have an opportunity to show their resilience. In the NFL, teams are often defined not by how they perform when everything goes right, but by how they respond when things go wrong. For the Browns, that response starts now.