Maliek Collins' Absence Creates Gaps in the Cleveland Browns Line

When Maliek Collins went down with a knee sprain in Week 10, the Cleveland Browns knew they’d lose a key contributor on their defensive line—but they underestimated just how deeply his absence would ripple through the unit. A starter at defensive tackle since signing with the Browns in 2023, Collins had become the backbone of the run defense and a reliable pass-rush complement to Myles Garrett. In the six weeks he missed, the Browns’ defensive line went from a strength to a liability, with clear gaps emerging in run stopping, interior pressure, and rotational depth. Maliek Collins' Absence Creates Gaps in the Cleveland Browns Line breaks down how his injury exposed vulnerabilities, how opponents exploited those gaps, and why the Browns struggled to find a viable replacement. For the Browns, Collins’ absence wasn’t just a loss of one player—it was a disruption to the entire defensive game plan.

Maliek Collins' Absence Creates Gaps in the Cleveland Browns Line starts with the most obvious gap: a dramatic decline in run defense. Before Collins’ injury, the Browns ranked 10th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (98.2), with Collins anchoring the interior by clogging running lanes and shedding blockers to make tackles. In the weeks he missed, that number jumped to 132.5 yards per game—dropping the Browns to 22nd in the league. Opponents targeted the middle of the line, where backup Tommy Togiai and undrafted free agent Jordan Elliott struggled to replicate Collins’ strength and technique. For example, in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens, Ravens running back Gus Edwards rushed for 115 yards, with 78 of those coming on runs up the middle—many of which would have been stopped by Collins. “Maliek has a unique ability to take on double teams and still make plays,” defensive line coach Chris Kiffin said. “Without him, we’re forcing our linebackers to clean up more messes, and that leaves us vulnerable to big runs. The gap in run defense was immediate and hard to hide.”

Another critical gap created by Collins’ absence was a drop-off in interior pass rush. While Garrett continued to generate sacks from the edge, the Browns lost Collins’ consistent pressure up the middle—something that had forced quarterbacks to step into Garrett’s path all season. Before the injury, Collins had 3.5 sacks and 8 quarterback hits, using his quickness off the line to disrupt pocket formation. Without him, the interior pass rush dried up: Togiai and Elliott combined for just 1 sack and 3 quarterback hits in six weeks. This allowed opponents to focus their blocking schemes on Garrett, doubling him on 65% of his snaps (up from 42% when Collins was healthy). The result? Garrett’s sack total dropped from 1.2 per game to 0.7, and quarterbacks had more time to scan the field. “Maliek’s pressure keeps defenses honest,” Garrett said during Collins’ absence. “When he’s in there, they can’t just stack guys on me. Without him, I’m seeing more double teams, and quarterbacks have extra seconds to throw. That’s a gap that affects the entire pass rush.”

Maliek Collins' Absence Creates Gaps in the Cleveland Browns Line also highlights the gap in rotational depth that Collins’ injury exposed. The Browns had built their defensive line with the expectation that Collins would handle 60-70% of the snaps at defensive tackle, with Togiai and Elliott providing fresh legs in relief. But when Collins went down, Togiai and Elliott were forced into full-time roles—something neither was prepared for. Togiai, a third-year player, struggled with endurance, seeing his snap count jump from 25% to 75% and his tackle efficiency drop by 30%. Elliott, meanwhile, struggled with discipline, drawing four holding penalties in three weeks—penalties that extended opponent drives and erased defensive stops. “We thought we had depth, but Collins’ absence showed us that depth was paper-thin,” defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz admitted. For the Cleveland Browns, this gap in depth wasn’t just a short-term problem; it forced the coaching staff to adjust game plans, limiting defensive packages and keeping key players on the field longer—increasing the risk of more injuries.

A less obvious but equally impactful gap was the loss of Collins’ leadership on the defensive line. As one of the most experienced players in the unit, Collins had become a vocal leader, calling out blocking schemes at the line of scrimmage and helping younger players like Togiai and defensive end Alex Wright read defenses. Without him, the line lacked that on-field direction, leading to more alignment mistakes and missed assignments. In Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Browns allowed a 45-yard run because two defensive linemen misread a zone-blocking scheme—something Collins would have corrected in real time. “Maliek’s not just a player—he’s a coach on the field,” Wright said. “When he’s out there, he keeps everyone on the same page. Without him, we’re second-guessing ourselves, and that leads to big plays for the other team.” For the Cleveland Browns, this leadership gap was harder to quantify than run defense or pass rush numbers, but it was just as damaging. It turned a cohesive unit into one that looked disjointed, especially in high-pressure situations.

Maliek Collins' Absence Creates Gaps in the Cleveland Browns Line concludes with the lessons the Browns learned from his injury—and the impact of his return in Week 16. When Collins came back, the gaps in the line closed almost immediately: the Browns held the Jacksonville Jaguars to 89 rushing yards, recorded 3 interior quarterback hits, and had zero alignment mistakes in the defensive line. His return also allowed Togiai and Elliott to go back to their reserve roles, where they performed more effectively. “Having Maliek back is like adding a missing piece to a puzzle,” Schwartz said. “The line doesn’t just play better—they play with more confidence.” For the Cleveland Browns community, Collins’ absence was a stark reminder of how valuable consistent, high-level contributors are—especially on the defensive line. It also highlighted the need for the team to invest in more depth at defensive tackle this offseason, to avoid similar gaps if Collins or another starter gets injured. In the end, Collins’ absence didn’t just create gaps in the line—it created clarity for the Browns, showing them where they need to improve to compete for a championship.