Maliek Collins' Absence Forces Adjustments for the Cleveland Browns

When the Cleveland Browns learned defensive tackle Maliek Collins would miss the rest of the season with a torn biceps, the news didn’t just create a roster gap—it upended a defensive scheme that had relied on his versatility all year. Collins, a three-year starter for the Browns, was the anchor of their interior line, balancing run-stopping grit with pass-rush spark. His loss comes at a critical time: the Browns are fighting for a playoff spot, with upcoming matchups against run-heavy teams like the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. For head coach Kevin Stefanski and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, the challenge now is to refashion their defense without a player who had become irreplaceable in key packages. Maliek Collins' Absence Forces Adjustments for the Cleveland Browns explores the injury’s timing, Collins’ irreplaceable role, potential replacements, scheme overhauls, and the impact on the team’s playoff push.

Maliek Collins' Absence Forces Adjustments for the Cleveland Browns opens with the context of Collins’ injury and why it’s a season-altering blow. The injury occurred in Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, late in the third quarter, when Collins reached to swat a pass and felt his left arm give way. Initial tests suggested a mild strain, but an MRI confirmed a complete biceps tear—requiring surgery and a 3-4 month recovery. For the Browns, the timing couldn’t be worse: they hold the AFC’s sixth seed, with five games left against playoff-caliber opponents. Collins was having a career year: 4 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and a Pro Football Focus run-defense grade of 82.3 (top 10 among defensive tackles). “Maliek isn’t just a starter—he’s the glue that holds our interior together,” said defensive line coach Ben Bloom. “He clogs gaps against the run and draws double teams, freeing up our linebackers and edge rushers. Losing him means we have to rethink how we approach every down.”

Maliek Collins' Absence Forces Adjustments for the Cleveland Browns delves into the specific role Collins played in Schwartz’s defensive scheme—one that can’t be filled by a single player. Schwartz’s system relies on interior linemen to occupy multiple blockers, creating space for playmakers like Myles Garrett and Anthony Walker Jr. Collins excelled here: his 6-foot-2, 311-pound frame let him stack guards and centers, while his quickness let him split double teams and disrupt plays in the backfield. Against the run, he ranked second on the team in run stops (23), using strength to shed blocks and meet runners at the line. In passing situations, Schwartz shifted him to different alignments—nose tackle to collapse the pocket, 3-technique to beat guards one-on-one. “Other teams game-plan around Maliek,” Bloom explained. “They have to decide whether to double him, which opens up opportunities for everyone else. Without him, that dynamic vanishes. We can’t just plug someone in—we have to change how we play.”

Maliek Collins' Absence Forces Adjustments for the Cleveland Browns covers the potential replacements the Browns will lean on—and their limitations. The top candidate is veteran Shelby Harris, a 10-year vet signed in the offseason as a backup. Harris is a solid run defender (12 run stops this season) but lacks Collins’ pass-rush punch (just 1 sack, 4 pressures in 2024). The Browns will also turn to second-year player Perrion Winfrey, a 2023 fourth-round pick with athleticism but inconsistent gap discipline. Winfrey showed flashes in the preseason (2 sacks) but has been limited to 15 snaps per game due to mental errors. To compensate, the Browns may rotate more frequently, using Harris for run downs and Winfrey for passing situations. “We don’t have one player who can do what Maliek did,” Schwartz admitted. “So we’ll use a committee approach—ask each guy to focus on their strength, not try to do it all.” For the Cleveland Browns, this rotation carries risks: more substitutions could lead to communication breakdowns, and neither Harris nor Winfrey has the experience to handle heavy snaps against elite offenses.

Another layer of Maliek Collins' Absence Forces Adjustments for the Cleveland Browns is the scheme overhauls Schwartz is implementing to mask the loss. One key change is shifting to more 4-3 alignments, adding an extra edge rusher to compensate for the interior pass-rush gap. This means Garrett, who typically lines up at defensive end, may move inside on third downs to create mismatches with guards. The Browns are also simplifying their run-defense packages, reducing pre-snap shifts to limit confusion among backup linemen. Against the Ravens in Week 15, for example, they’ll likely use a “5-2” front—adding a fifth defensive lineman—to clog gaps against Lamar Jackson and Gus Edwards. “Scheme adjustments are about playing to our remaining strengths,” Schwartz said. “We can’t replicate Maliek, but we can put our other players in positions to succeed.” For the Cleveland Browns, these changes require extra practice time: the team added a walkthrough session specifically to drill the new alignments, ensuring players learn the adjustments before game day.

Maliek Collins' Absence Forces Adjustments for the Cleveland Browns explores how the loss impacts the team’s playoff aspirations—and the pressure on other players to step up. Entering Week 14, the Browns’ run defense ranked 5th in the NFL (97.2 yards per game), but without Collins, that ranking could slip. Opposing teams will target the interior, running power plays up the middle to test Harris and Winfrey. This puts more pressure on linebackers Walker and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah to fill gaps quickly, and on the secondary to stay disciplined if the run defense breaks down. Offensively, the Browns may need to score more to offset potential defensive struggles—placing extra burden on Deshaun Watson and the running backs. “We all have to elevate our game,” Watson said. “Maliek’s a big loss, but we can’t use that as an excuse. We have to find a way to win.” For the Cleveland Browns, the adjustments go beyond X’s and O’s—they’re a test of resilience. If the defense adapts quickly, they could still make a deep playoff run; if not, Collins’ absence could be the difference between a postseason spot and a early offseason.

Maliek Collins' Absence Forces Adjustments for the Cleveland Browns closes with the long-term lessons from the injury—and how it shapes the team’s offseason plans. Collins’ loss highlights the need for more depth at defensive tackle, a position the Browns may address in the 2025 NFL Draft or free agency. It also underscores the importance of scheme flexibility: teams that rely too heavily on one player are vulnerable when injuries strike. For now, though, the focus is on the present. The Browns have shown they can adapt in the past—they won four straight games after a midseason slump earlier this year—and Stefanski is confident they can do it again. “Adjustments are part of football,” he said. “We have a talented group, and we’ll find a way to compete. Maliek would want it that way.” For the Cleveland Browns, Collins’ absence is a challenge—but it’s also an opportunity to prove their defense is more than one player. How they respond will define their season—and set the tone for how they build their roster in the years to come.