Maliek Collins Out for Season Impacting the Cleveland Browns Defense

In the unforgiving rhythm of the NFL season, a single injury can upend a team’s carefully crafted plans—especially when it strikes a key defensive contributor. For the Cleveland Browns, that reality set in when defensive tackle Maliek Collins was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a torn biceps, suffered in the team’s Week 13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Collins wasn’t just a rotational player; he was the anchor of the Browns’ interior defensive line, a disruptor who combined run-stopping physicality with pass-rush flair. His absence creates a gap that extends beyond the depth chart—it threatens to weaken a defense that had emerged as one of the league’s most consistent units, putting pressure on backups, coaches, and the entire team to adapt. Maliek Collins Out for Season Impacting the Cleveland Browns Defense explores the details of Collins’ injury, his irreplaceable role in the defense, the immediate adjustments the Browns must make, the long-term effects on key matchups, and what it means for their playoff aspirations.

Maliek Collins Out for Season Impacting the Cleveland Browns Defense opens with the context of Collins’ injury and why it’s such a significant blow. The incident occurred late in the third quarter against the Steelers: Collins was rushing the passer when he reached to swat down a throw, and his left arm gave way. Initial tests suggested a mild biceps strain, but an MRI the following day confirmed a complete tear—an injury that requires surgery and typically sidelines players for 3-4 months. For the Browns, the timing couldn’t have been worse: they’re in the thick of a playoff race, holding the AFC’s sixth seed, and set to face elite offenses like the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers in the final five games. Collins, in his third season with Cleveland, was having a career year: he’d recorded 4 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and 15 quarterback pressures, while ranking among the top 10 defensive tackles in Pro Football Focus’ run-defense grade (82.3). “Maliek is the glue of our interior D-line,” said Browns defensive line coach Ben Bloom. “He’s the guy who clogs gaps against the run and creates chaos in the pass rush. Losing him isn’t just losing a player—it’s losing a piece of our identity.”

Maliek Collins Out for Season Impacting the Cleveland Browns Defense delves into the specific role Collins played in the Browns’ defensive scheme, highlighting why his absence can’t be easily filled. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz runs a scheme that relies on interior defensive linemen to occupy multiple blockers, freeing up linebackers to make tackles and edge rushers to chase quarterbacks. Collins was masterful at this: his 6-foot-2, 311-pound frame let him stack offensive guards and centers, while his quickness off the line 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 his strength to shed blocks and meet running backs at the line of scrimmage. In passing situations, he was a versatile weapon—Schwartz often shifted him to different alignments, using him as a nose tackle to collapse the pocket or as a 3-technique to beat guards one-on-one. “Other teams game-plan around Maliek,” Bloom explained. “They have to decide whether to double-team him, which opens up opportunities for our other guys. Without him, that dynamic changes entirely.” This versatility made Collins irreplaceable; no other defensive tackle on the Browns’ roster combines his size, speed, and football IQ.

Maliek Collins Out for Season Impacting the Cleveland Browns Defense covers the immediate adjustments the Browns are making to fill Collins’ spot, starting with the players who will step into increased roles. The most likely replacement is veteran Shelby Harris, a 10-year NFL vet who signed with Cleveland in the offseason as a backup. Harris is a solid run defender—he’s recorded 12 run stops this season—but he lacks Collins’ pass-rush upside (just 1 sack and 4 pressures in 2024). The Browns will also lean on second-year player Perrion Winfrey, a 2023 fourth-round pick who has shown flashes of potential but struggles with consistency. Winfrey has the athleticism to contribute in the pass rush (he had 2 sacks in the preseason) but has been limited to 15 snaps per game due to issues with gap discipline. To compensate, Schwartz is expected to adjust the scheme: he may use more 4-3 alignments to add an extra edge rusher, or shift defensive end Myles Garrett inside on passing downs to create interior pressure. “We don’t have a single player who can do everything Maliek did,” Schwartz admitted. “So we’ll have to do it as a group—adjust our scheme, rotate more players, and ask everyone to step up.” For the Cleveland Browns, these adjustments are a short-term fix, but they come with risks: more rotations could lead to communication breakdowns, and shifting Garrett inside could weaken their edge rush.

Another layer of Maliek Collins Out for Season Impacting the Cleveland Browns Defense is the potential impact on the Browns’ run defense, which had been one of the league’s strongest before the injury. Entering Week 13, the Browns ranked 5th in the NFL in run defense, allowing just 97.2 yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry. Collins was a big reason for that success: he consistently plugged gaps, forcing running backs to bounce plays outside, where the Browns’ linebackers and cornerbacks could make tackles. Without him, opposing teams will likely target the interior of the Browns’ line, running more zone reads and power runs up the middle. The Ravens, who the Browns face in Week 15, have one of the league’s top rushing attacks (132.1 yards per game) led by Lamar Jackson and Gus Edwards—they’ll almost certainly test Harris and Winfrey early and often. “Our run defense is going to be tested in ways it hasn’t been all season,” said Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. “We’re going to have to communicate better, fill gaps faster, and trust each other to make plays. It’s not going to be easy, but we have no choice.” For the Cleveland Browns, a drop-off in run defense could be costly: it would force their secondary to stay on the field longer, increasing fatigue and making them more vulnerable to big plays in the passing game.

Maliek Collins Out for Season Impacting the Cleveland Browns Defense explores how the injury affects the Browns’ pass rush, which had been a strength despite recent inconsistencies. Garrett, one of the league’s top edge rushers, has 12 sacks this season, but he’s benefited greatly from Collins’ ability to draw double teams. When teams focus on stopping Collins inside, they often leave Garrett one-on-one with offensive tackles—a mismatch he exploits regularly. Without Collins, teams can shift their attention to Garrett, using extra blockers or chip shots from tight ends to slow him down. This could reduce Garrett’s production and limit the Browns’ ability to pressure quarterbacks, which would hurt their secondary: the Browns rank 11th in passing defense, but they rely on consistent pressure to force quick, inaccurate throws. “When Maliek is in there, quarterbacks have to worry about pressure from all sides,” said Browns safety Grant Delpit. “Without him, it’s easier for them to step up in the pocket and find open receivers. We’re going to have to work harder to create that pressure as a unit.” The Browns may also struggle to generate interior pressure in obvious passing situations, which could let quarterbacks sit in the pocket and pick apart their zone coverage. For the Cleveland Browns, a weakened pass rush could make it harder to beat elite quarterbacks like Jackson and the 49ers’ Brock Purdy—key matchups that will likely decide their playoff fate.

Maliek Collins Out for Season Impacting the Cleveland Browns Defense closes with what the injury means for the Browns’ playoff aspirations and long-term plans. While they still hold a playoff spot, the loss of Collins makes their path to the postseason more difficult—especially since they face a tough remaining schedule. If their defense slips, they’ll have to rely more on their offense, which has been inconsistent this season (ranking 18th in total offense). The Browns could also look to the trade market to add a defensive tackle, but with the trade deadline passed, their only options are free agents or practice squad players—most of whom are unlikely to match Collins’ production. Long-term, the injury highlights the need for the Browns to address depth at defensive tackle in the offseason, either through the draft or free agency. “This injury is a setback, but it’s not the end of our season,” said Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. “We have a resilient group, and we’ll find a way to adapt. But there’s no denying that Maliek is a big loss, and we’ll all have to step up to fill the void.” For the Cleveland Browns, Maliek Collins’ season-ending injury is a test of their depth, their scheme, and their resolve. How they respond will determine whether they make a deep playoff run or see their season end prematurely—and it will shape how they approach roster building in the months to come.