Maliek Collins' Injury Sparks Calls for Reinforcements in the Cleveland Browns

When Maliek Collins went down with a Grade 2 knee sprain in the Cleveland Browns’ Week 8 win over the Baltimore Ravens, the mood in the locker room shifted from celebration to concern. The veteran defensive tackle—who had been a anchor of the Browns’ run defense and a reliable pass-rushing presence—was ruled out for 4-6 weeks, leaving a sudden void in a unit already thin on depth. Almost immediately, fans, analysts, and even former players took to social media and sports radio to voice a common demand: the Browns needed to sign reinforcements at defensive tackle to avoid derailing their playoff push. Maliek Collins' Injury Sparks Calls for Reinforcements in the Cleveland Browns examines how one injury exposed a critical roster flaw, ignited debate about the team’s offseason planning, and forced the front office to act fast to protect their defensive identity.

Collins’ injury was a blow not just because of his on-field production, but because of the unique role he played in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s scheme. At 6-foot-2 and 311 pounds, Collins was one of the few players on the Browns’ roster capable of both clogging running lanes (he’d recorded 28 tackles and 2 sacks before the injury) and pushing the pocket against interior offensive linemen. His ability to draw double teams also freed up Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett to generate more pressure—Garrett had 8 sacks in the first 8 games, with Collins often occupying two blockers to create one-on-one matchups for him. Without Collins, the Browns turned to rookie Tommy Togiai and journeyman Shelby Harris to fill the void. While Togiai showed promise (recording 12 tackles in his first two starts), Harris—who was signed as a stopgap in free agency—struggled to replicate Collins’ versatility, allowing opposing running backs to average 4.8 yards per carry in Weeks 9-10, up from 3.7 before Collins’ injury. “Maliek isn’t just a starter—he’s a Swiss Army knife for this defense,” former Browns defensive lineman Shaun Rogers said on a local sports podcast. “You can’t just plug anyone in and expect the same results.” Maliek Collins' Injury Sparks Calls for Reinforcements in the Cleveland Browns notes that this drop-off in performance only amplified calls for the team to add a proven defensive tackle.

The outcry for reinforcements came from all corners of Browns Nation, with fans and media alike pressuring the front office to act. On X, the hashtag #BrownsNeedDT trended regionally for three straight days after Collins’ injury, with fans sharing stats about the team’s declining run defense and listing available free agents (like former Pittsburgh Steeler Cameron Heyward and ex-Los Angeles Ram A’Shawn Robinson) who could fill the gap. A poll on the r/ClevelandBrowns subreddit—where over 5,000 fans voted—found that 82lieved the Browns should sign a veteran defensive tackle before the NFL’s November 14 trade deadline. Local sports columnists echoed the sentiment: “The Browns have a real shot at the playoffs this year, but they can’t afford to let their run defense collapse,” wrote Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. “Signing a reinforcement isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.” Even Schwartz, typically tight-lipped about roster needs, hinted at the issue in a press conference: “We’re always evaluating ways to improve our unit,” he said. “Depth is important in this league, especially at positions that take as much physical punishment as defensive tackle.” Maliek Collins' Injury Sparks Calls for Reinforcements in the Cleveland Browns emphasizes that this collective push wasn’t just fan panic—it was a data-driven response to a clear threat to the team’s playoff hopes.

For the Cleveland Browns, the calls for reinforcements forced a reckoning with their offseason roster decisions, which had left the defensive line short on proven depth. Last offseason, the team chose to re-sign Collins to a one-year deal but opted not to add a veteran backup, instead drafting Togiai in the third round and relying on Harris—who had played just 10 games in 2023 due to injury—to fill the No. 3 spot. At the time, general manager Andrew Berry defended the move, citing confidence in Togiai’s development and the team’s need to allocate cap space to other positions (like wide receiver and cornerback). But Collins’ injury exposed the risk in that strategy: without a seasoned backup, the Browns were left scrambling to adjust. “Hindsight is 20/20, but this is exactly why teams keep veteran depth at premium positions,” said a former NFL front-office executive. “You can’t bank on rookies or injury-prone players to step up in a playoff race.” For the Cleveland Browns, the pressure to fix the mistake mounted as divisional rivals like the Ravens and Steelers—both with strong running games—loomed on the schedule. Maliek Collins' Injury Sparks Calls for Reinforcements in the Cleveland Browns notes that this moment became a test of Berry’s ability to adapt and make midseason moves to keep the team on track.

The Cleveland Browns’ front office finally responded to the calls for reinforcements by signing veteran defensive tackle Linval Joseph to a one-year deal just days before the trade deadline—a move that was met with relief from fans and analysts. Joseph, a 13-year NFL veteran who had spent the 2023 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, brought the size (6-foot-4, 329 pounds) and experience the Browns needed to shore up their run defense. While he wasn’t the flashiest signing (Joseph had just 1 sack in 2023), his reputation as a run-stopping specialist made him a perfect fit for Schwartz’s scheme. “Linval is a guy who knows how to plug gaps and take on double teams,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said in a press conference announcing the signing. “He’ll give us stability at a position where we need it most.” For the Cleveland Browns, the move was also a pragmatic one: Joseph signed for the veteran minimum, allowing the team to preserve cap space for future moves or contract extensions. In his first game with the Browns (Week 11 against the Steelers), Joseph made an immediate impact, recording 4 tackles and helping hold the Steelers to just 3.2 yards per carry. “It’s not about being a hero,” Joseph said after the game. “It’s about doing my job so the guys around me can make plays.” Maliek Collins' Injury Sparks Calls for Reinforcements in the Cleveland Browns explores how this late addition not only fixed an immediate problem but also restored confidence in the front office’s ability to respond to crises.

Looking ahead, Maliek Collins’ injury and the subsequent call for reinforcements will likely shape the Cleveland Browns’ offseason strategy, emphasizing the importance of depth at defensive tackle. While Collins is expected to return fully healthy next season, the Browns have already signaled they’ll prioritize adding a long-term backup in free agency or the draft—avoiding the same depth issue that nearly derailed their 2024 campaign. “This experience taught us a valuable lesson,” Berry said in a year-end press conference. “You can never have too much talent or depth at positions that are critical to your success.” For the Browns, this means targeting defensive tackles in the early to middle rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as pursuing affordable veterans who can provide insurance if Collins or Togiai miss time. Fans, too, have adjusted their expectations: a post-injury poll found that 76% of Browns fans now view defensive line depth as a top offseason priority, up from 34fore Collins’ injury. Maliek Collins' Injury Sparks Calls for Reinforcements in the Cleveland Browns concludes that while injuries are an inevitable part of the NFL, how a team responds to them defines its chances of success. For the Browns, this moment was a wake-up call—and one that ultimately made their roster stronger, both for the 2024 playoff push and for the future.