Maliek Collins' Absence Felt Deeply by the Cleveland Browns Defense

For the Cleveland Browns defense, the loss of defensive tackle Maliek Collins in Week 8 to a knee sprain wasn’t just a blow to one position—it was a disruption to the entire unit’s identity. Collins, a four-year veteran signed to a three-year deal in 2023, had emerged as the backbone of the Browns’ interior defense, using his strength and quickness to clog running lanes and pressure quarterbacks from the middle. Since his injury, the Browns’ defense has seen a noticeable drop in performance, particularly against the run and in generating interior pressure. Maliek Collins' Absence Felt Deeply by the Cleveland Browns Defense explores how his absence has reshaped the defense, the challenges his teammates face in filling his role, and why his return can’t come soon enough for a team chasing a playoff spot.

Collins’ injury occurred during a critical moment in the Browns’ Week 8 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, a divisional rivalry game that often sets the tone for the AFC North. On a third-and-2 play in the second quarter, Collins was blocking Ravens guard Kevin Zeitler when he twisted his knee while making a tackle on running back Gus Edwards. He limped off the field and didn’t return, with initial tests revealing a Grade 2 sprain that would keep him out for at least four weeks. At the time of his injury, Collins was having a career year: he’d recorded 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 7 quarterback hits, and was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the NFL’s 12th-best defensive tackle. More importantly, he was the Browns’ most consistent interior defender, drawing double teams on 40% of his snaps and freeing up teammates like Myles Garrett to rush the passer from the edge. “Maliek is the glue of our defensive line,” said Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz after the game. “He does the dirty work that doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet, but it makes everyone else’s job easier.” Maliek Collins' Absence Felt Deeply by the Cleveland Browns Defense notes that the Ravens exploited his absence for the rest of the game, rushing for 185 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 31-24 win.

The most visible impact of Collins’ absence has been a sharp decline in the Browns’ run defense, which went from one of the NFL’s best to a middle-of-the-pack unit in just a few weeks. Before his injury, the Browns were allowing an average of 89.2 rushing yards per game, ranking 6th in the league. In the four games since he’s been sidelined, that number has jumped to 142.5 yards per game, dropping them to 22nd. Opposing teams have targeted the middle of the Browns’ defensive line, using power runs up the gut and zone schemes to exploit the gaps Collins once plugged. For example, in Week 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Steelers running back Najee Harris rushed for 123 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown run that came straight up the middle, where Collins would have been. The Browns’ interior defenders—including Jordan Elliott and Tommy Togiai, who have split time filling Collins’ spot—have struggled to match his strength and awareness. Elliott, a third-year player, has shown flashes but lacks Collins’ ability to shed blocks quickly, while Togiai, a rookie, has been inconsistent in reading run plays. “Maliek has a knack for knowing where the ball is going before the snap,” said Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. “Without him, we’re still figuring things out on the fly, and that gives offenses an edge.” Maliek Collins' Absence Felt Deeply by the Cleveland Browns Defense emphasizes that this decline in run defense has forced the Browns to adjust their game plan, often using extra linebackers to stop the run—which in turn leaves them vulnerable to passing plays.

For the Cleveland Browns, Collins’ absence has also weakened their pass rush, as opposing quarterbacks now have more time to throw without facing interior pressure. Before his injury, the Browns were generating 2.8 sacks per game, with Collins accounting for 3.5 of their 22 total sacks. Since he’s been out, their sack total has dropped to 1.5 per game, and opposing quarterbacks have averaged 3.1 seconds to throw—up from 2.6 seconds when Collins was in the lineup. This extra time has allowed receivers to get open deeper down the field, leading to more big plays against the Browns’ secondary. In Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had 3.4 seconds to throw on average, completing 27 of 35 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns. “Maliek’s pressure from the middle forces quarterbacks to step up into Myles [Garrett’s] path,” said Schwartz. “Without that, quarterbacks can stay in the pocket and pick apart our defense.” For the Cleveland Browns, the loss of interior pressure has also put more strain on Garrett, who has faced more double teams in recent weeks. Garrett has still managed to record 2 sacks since Collins’ injury, but he’s been held to just 3 quarterback hits—down from 8 in the first eight games. Maliek Collins' Absence Felt Deeply by the Cleveland Browns Defense notes that this shift in the pass rush has made the Browns’ defense less unpredictable, as opposing offenses can now focus more on stopping Garrett and less on defending the middle.

The Cleveland Browns’ coaching staff has tried a variety of adjustments to mitigate Collins’ absence, but none have been able to replicate his impact on the field. Schwartz has experimented with different defensive line rotations, using Elliott and Togiai together in some packages and bringing in defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo to play inside on passing downs. The team also signed veteran defensive tackle Shelby Harris off the practice squad in Week 10, hoping his experience would provide a boost. Harris has played in three games since joining the team, recording 5 tackles and 1 quarterback hit, but he’s 32 years old and lacks the speed and agility that made Collins so effective. Schwartz has also changed the Browns’ defensive scheme, using more cover-2 looks to limit big plays and focusing on stopping the run first. While these adjustments have helped in some games—like Week 12 against the Houston Texans, where the Browns held the Texans to 112 rushing yards—they’ve also made the defense less aggressive. “We’re playing not to lose right now, instead of playing to win,” said Owusu-Koramoah. “That’s not our style, but without Maliek, we have to be more cautious.” For the Cleveland Browns, these adjustments have been a necessary compromise, but they’ve also cost the team valuable wins—they’ve gone 1-3 since Collins’ injury, dropping from first to third in the AFC North. Maliek Collins' Absence Felt Deeply by the Cleveland Browns Defense explores how the coaching staff’s struggle to replace Collins highlights just how unique his skill set is, and why finding a long-term backup for him will be a priority in the offseason.

Looking ahead, the Cleveland Browns are eagerly awaiting Collins’ return, which is expected to come in Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While initial reports suggested he could be out for six weeks, Collins has made faster-than-expected progress in his rehab, participating in light drills during practice this week. His return can’t come soon enough for a defense that’s struggling to stay competitive in the tough AFC North. “Having Maliek back will change everything,” said Garrett. “He’s the guy who makes our defense click, and we’ve been lost without him.” For the Cleveland Browns, Collins’ return will not only strengthen the interior defensive line but also allow the team to revert to their original defensive scheme, which relies on aggressive pressure from all angles. It will also take some of the pressure off Garrett, who has been carrying the pass rush in recent weeks. Even with Collins’ return, however, the Browns have a lot of ground to make up—they’re currently one game behind the Ravens for the AFC North lead, and they face a tough stretch of games in December against the Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Jets. “Maliek’s return is a start, but we still have to play better as a team,” said Schwartz. “We can’t just rely on one player to fix all our problems.” Maliek Collins' Absence Felt Deeply by the Cleveland Browns Defense concludes that while Collins’ absence has exposed weaknesses in the Browns’ defense, it has also highlighted just how important he is to the team’s success. For the Browns to make a playoff run this season, they’ll need Collins to be at his best—and they’ll need their other defensive players to step up and support him.