Browns announce LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) will miss 2025 season
The Cleveland Browns have announced that linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah won't play in 2025 due to a neck injury he suffered last season.
Owusu-Koramoah is being placed on the reserve-physically unable to perform list, which formally ends his season. He was injured in a collision with Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry in October.
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A Pro Bowler in 2023, Owusu-Koramoah signed a contract extension before the 2024 season and is one of Cleveland's best players. He was a second-round pick in 2021 and emerged as one of the NFL's fastest and most instinctual linebackers, but his career could be over.
'While I won't suit up this season, I'm focused on what I can control — my healing, my mindset and my faith,' Owusu-Koramoah said in the team's statement. 'The body may rest, but the calling never sleeps. I've given my heart to this game. I don't know what's next, but I'll continue trusting my medical team, serving the community and backing my brothers on the field.'
got your back no matter what, @j_owuu 🤞 pic.twitter.com/gFUDjIulgQ
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 12, 2025
The Browns drafted linebacker Carson Schwesinger with the first pick of the second round and added veteran Jerome Baker via free agency. The team never said publicly that Owusu-Koramoah wouldn't play in 2025, but general manager Andrew Berry had said the linebacker's status was uncertain. Owusu-Koramoah has been around the team at points throughout the offseason, but he's facing a long-term recovery process.
'Jeremiah's health is of the utmost importance to us, and although he has made progress toward recovery, we've made (this) decision,' Berry said. 'Jeremiah has the full support of our team, and we expect him to continue to be a part of the organization even though he will not return to the field this year.
'We will not make any predictions on Jeremiah's football future at this time, but we do note that he's in good spirits and will continue to take the advice of the world-class medical experts who will continue to guide his progress and recovery.'
Jordan Hicks figures to again be a starter in the final season of his current contract. The Browns also signed Devin Bush to a new one-year deal after he went from a special teams player and backup to a full-time role following Owusu-Koramoah's injury. Bush could potentially face NFL discipline after he was arrested earlier this month on charges of assault and harassment, but legal proceedings have not yet begun.
Owusu-Koramoah had 20 of his 40 career tackles for loss in 2023. He's started 41 of 49 career games and has eight career sacks and three interceptions.
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'To the Cleveland Browns fan base and my supporters worldwide — thank you for your patience in my silence,' Owusu-Koramoah wrote. 'From day one, you embraced me as more than a player, but also as a brother and young man with purpose. I'm grateful to the Browns organization for their full support, and to the world-class doctors guiding me through recovery.'
The Browns made the PUP designation official amid a series of other roster moves Monday. The team is addressing its lack of safety depth by adding Damontae Kazee and Rayshawn Jenkins. Kazee is a veteran of eight NFL seasons, the last three with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jenkins has also played eight seasons. He played in 13 games for Seattle in 2024.
The Browns also signed three undrafted rookie wide receivers: native Northeast Ohioan Luke Floriea of Kent State and Mentor High School; Kisean Johnson of Western Kentucky; and Cade McDonald of Miami (Ohio).
Floriea, Johnson and McDonald were signed after they participated in the rookie minicamp as tryout players. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said the team would likely need to add some receivers to support the ongoing quarterback competition and the extra passing reps that will be added to practice scripts when organized team activities begin the last week of May.
The Browns waived safety Trey Dean, defensive end Marcus Haynes, tight end/fullback Eli Wilson, and waived-injured wide receiver Ja'Seem Reed.
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