Maliek Collins' Quad Injury Ends Campaign for the Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns’ struggling defense took a critical hit in Week 14: defensive tackle Maliek Collins tore his quadriceps in a 31-28 loss to the Houston Texans, ending his 2024 season. A starter in the interior line, Collins was more than a stat contributor—he anchored run defense and led quietly, stabilizing a unit already weakened by Jordan Elliott’s calf strain and Shelby Harris’ knee injury. His absence comes as the Browns fight for an AFC wild-card spot, with key games against the Steelers and Broncos ahead. For a defense already struggling to stop runs and generate pass pressure, Collins’ loss isn’t just a gap—it’s a crisis that could sink their playoff hopes. Maliek Collins' Quad Injury Ends Campaign for the Cleveland Browns breaks down the injury, its immediate impact, and why it’s so damaging.

Maliek Collins' Quad Injury Ends Campaign for the Cleveland Browns starts with the injury play. Late in the second quarter, Texans running back Devin Singletary gained 10 yards, and Collins chased him down, diving for a tackle. He grabbed his right quad on impact, winced, and tried to walk off—only to collapse, forcing trainers to cart him away. Postgame tests confirmed a complete tear, requiring surgery that will sideline him 4-6 months. “Maliek played with the heart of a leader,” said head coach Kevin Stefanski. “He chased plays to help us win, which makes this heartbreaking.” Before the injury, Collins had 3 sacks, 28 tackles, and 6 quarterback hits, ranking third among Browns defenders per Pro Football Focus (PFF). His ability to clog run lanes and push the pocket made him irreplaceable inside.

Maliek Collins' Quad Injury Ends Campaign for the Cleveland Browns shifts to run defense impact. Already ranked 25th in the NFL, the unit relied on Collins—PFF graded him in the 82nd percentile for run-defense efficiency. He took double teams from guards/centers, freeing linebackers like Anthony Walker Jr. Without him, the line will turn to Elliott (fresh off a calf strain), Harris (limited by knee pain), and backup Tommy Togiai (a 2021 fourth-round pick with just 87 career snaps). The Texans exploited this immediately: Singletary finished with 123 rushing yards, and Houston averaged 4.7 yards per carry (well above their 3.9 season average). “Maliek was our run-game eraser,” said defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. “Without him, we’ll need more blitzes—risking exposure for our secondary, a trade-off that’s hurt us all season.”

Maliek Collins' Quad Injury Ends Campaign for the Cleveland Browns delves into pass-rush struggles. While Myles Garrett gets sack credit, Collins was key to pushing the pocket and drawing double teams—letting Garrett face single coverage. Collins had 11 quarterback pressures this season, helping the Browns record 23 sacks (24th in the NFL). Without him, teams can shift double teams to Garrett: in the Texans game, Garrett was doubled 75% of the time (up from 68% pre-injury) and had just one tackle. “Maliek’s value was freeing me up,” Garrett said. “Now teams focus on me, and the pass rush stalls—that’s a problem.” For the Cleveland Browns, this is dangerous: without pressure, quarterbacks like the Steelers’ Kenny Pickett will have time to pick apart their inconsistent secondary, turning close games into blowouts.

Maliek Collins' Quad Injury Ends Campaign for the Cleveland Browns explores replacement options—none ideal. Togiai, the likely starter, is a physical run-stopper but lacks Collins’ pass-rush agility and has never played more than 20 snaps in a game. Free-agent options are thin: ex-Brown Sheldon Day (cut by New Orleans in October) and ex-Texan Roy Lopez (a career backup) are available. Shifting Harris to tackle is another idea, but he’s played just 10% of snaps there this season and is recovering from a knee injury. “We have no perfect replacement,” Stefanski admitted. “Tommy’s worked hard, and Shelby will move inside—but it won’t be easy.” For the Cleveland Browns, this depth gap stems from offseason choices: they invested in offense (signing Jerry Jeudy) instead of defensive line depth, a decision now coming back to bite them.

Maliek Collins' Quad Injury Ends Campaign for the Cleveland Browns wraps up with long-term implications. Short-term, playoff hopes are dimmed: their thin defense is now vulnerable to run-heavy teams like the Steelers (118 rushing yards per game). A playoff spot would likely mean facing top seeds like the Ravens or Chiefs—teams that can exploit their weaknesses. Long-term, it raises roster questions: why not add defensive line depth after last season’s injuries? Collins becomes a free agent in 2025, and this injury could hurt his value—leaving the Browns with another hole. “This injury teaches us to build more depth,” said GM Andrew Berry. “One injury shouldn’t derail a season.” For the Cleveland Browns, though, next year is too late. They’re left with a depleted defense, hoping backups can fill the void—and knowing Collins’ absence could end their season early.