Maliek Collins' Injury Forces Creative Solutions for the Cleveland Browns

When defensive tackle Maliek Collins suffered a Grade 2 quadriceps strain in Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns faced an immediate crisis. Collins, the team’s starting nose tackle and a anchor of the run defense, had been a constant force in the middle—clogging lanes, drawing double teams, and freeing up linebackers to make tackles. His absence left a gaping hole in a defensive line that was already thin on depth, with no obvious replacement on the roster. For most teams, this would have spelled disaster, especially against a stretch of opponents with strong running games. But instead of folding, the Browns’ coaching staff and front office pivoted quickly, devising creative solutions that not only mitigated the loss but also uncovered new strengths in their defense. Maliek Collins' Injury Forces Creative Solutions for the Cleveland Browns explores how the team adapted 战术 (tactically), rotated players, and leaned into innovation to keep their defense competitive during Collins’ six-week absence.

Maliek Collins' Injury Forces Creative Solutions for the Cleveland Browns begins with the immediate tactical shift on the defensive line. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz recognized that no single player could replicate Collins’ size (6-foot-2, 310 pounds) and run-stopping ability, so he opted for a “by-committee” approach that mixed personnel and formations. Instead of using a traditional 4-3 alignment with one nose tackle, Schwartz started rotating two smaller, more agile defensive tackles—second-year player Tommy Togiai and undrafted free agent Jordan Elliott—into the middle. Togiai, who had primarily played in passing situations before, focused on using his quickness to disrupt running plays at the line of scrimmage, while Elliott used his strength to hold off double teams. Schwartz also added a twist: in short-yardage situations, he moved defensive end Alex Wright inside to play nose tackle, leveraging Wright’s 6-foot-6 frame to plug gaps. “We couldn’t replace Maliek with one guy, so we replaced him with a system,” Schwartz explained. The early results were promising: in Week 4 against the Houston Texans, the Browns held running back Dameon Pierce to just 62 yards on 18 carries, well below his season average.

Maliek Collins' Injury Forces Creative Solutions for the Cleveland Browns delves into how the team leaned into linebacker creativity to compensate for the loss in the trenches. With Collins out, opposing offenses began running more zone reads and misdirection plays to exploit the thinner interior line. To counter this, Schwartz expanded the roles of linebackers Anthony Walker Jr. and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, giving them more freedom to “blitz from depth” and read the quarterback’s eyes. Walker, a veteran with strong run-stopping instincts, was tasked with covering the “A-gap” (between the center and guard) when the defensive tackles were pulled out of position, while Owusu-Koramoah used his speed to chase down running backs from the edge. The strategy paid off in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars: Walker recorded 12 tackles and a forced fumble, while Owusu-Koramoah added 8 tackles and a sack. “Our linebackers had to step up, and they did,” said Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. “We asked them to do more—cover more ground, make more decisions—and they rose to the challenge.” The linebackers also worked closely with the secondary to adjust coverage, using pre-snap motions to confuse quarterbacks and limit big plays off running plays.

Maliek Collins' Injury Forces Creative Solutions for the Cleveland Browns examines how the Cleveland Browns’ front office made a low-risk, high-reward addition to bolster the defensive line. With Collins sidelined and Togiai/Elliott still adjusting to their expanded roles, general manager Andrew Berry signed veteran defensive tackle Shelby Harris off the Denver Broncos’ practice squad. Harris, a 10-year NFL veteran with experience playing nose tackle, wasn’t expected to be a starter—instead, he was brought in to provide depth and mentor the younger players. But Harris quickly proved his value: in his first game with the Browns (Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers), he recorded 4 tackles and a quarterback hit, and his presence allowed Togiai and Elliott to return to their more natural roles in passing situations. “Shelby was a perfect fit,” Berry said. “He didn’t demand a lot of playing time, but he brought experience and leadership—two things we needed when Maliek went down.” Harris also worked with the team’s defensive line coach to refine Togiai’s technique, helping Togiai improve his hand placement and gap discipline. For the Cleveland Browns, the signing was a reminder that creativity isn’t just about tactics—it’s also about finding the right players to execute them.

Maliek Collins' Injury Forces Creative Solutions for the Cleveland Browns explores how the Cleveland Browns used Collins’ injury as an opportunity to develop young talent—something that paid dividends even after his return. Togiai, who had played just 15% of defensive snaps before Collins’ injury, saw his snap count jump to 65% during the six-week stretch. By the time Collins came back in Week 11, Togiai had become a reliable rotational player, capable of contributing in both run and passing situations. Elliott, too, grew into his role: he recorded his first career sack in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens and finished the season with 3 sacks and 18 tackles. “Maliek’s injury was tough, but it gave our young guys a chance to play,” said defensive line coach Chris Kiffin. “Tommy and Jordan didn’t just fill in—they got better. That’s a win for our team long-term.” The Browns also used the opportunity to test different defensive line combinations in practice, discovering that a three-man front (with Wright, Harris, and Togiai) was effective against spread offenses. This flexibility would later help the team in Week 14 against the San Francisco 49ers, when they used the three-man front to limit the 49ers’ rushing attack to 78 yards. For the Cleveland Browns, the silver lining of Collins’ injury was a deeper, more versatile defensive line.

Maliek Collins' Injury Forces Creative Solutions for the Cleveland Browns wraps up with how the team’s creative solutions during Collins’ absence made them stronger overall—and what it means for their future. When Collins returned in Week 11, the Browns didn’t abandon the strategies they’d developed; instead, they integrated him back into a more flexible system. Collins played his traditional nose tackle role in run situations but also moved to defensive end in passing downs, allowing the team to keep Togiai and Harris on the field for more snaps. The result was a defensive line that was now deeper and more dynamic: in the final six games of the season, the Browns ranked 8th in the NFL in run defense, up from 15th before Collins’ injury. “We turned a setback into a strength,” Schwartz said. “Maliek coming back was great, but the things we learned while he was out made our defense better. We’re more adaptable now—we can adjust to any injury, any opponent.” For the Cleveland Browns, the experience was a lesson in resilience and innovation. In the NFL, injuries are inevitable, but how a team responds to them can define its season. By thinking creatively and trusting their players, the Browns didn’t just survive Collins’ injury—they came out of it a better team.