Browns injury news: CB Martin Emerson Jr. to have Achilles surgery, out for the season
Coach Kevin Stefanski said July 30 that an MRI confirmed Emerson ruptured his Achilles tendon in the previous day's training camp practice. The fourth-year pro out of Mississippi State will have surgery to repair the injury and be sidelined for the season.
"Disappointed," Stefanski said before the Browns' seventh training camp practice. "Obviously, injuries are the worst part about our game, but he will bounce back. I know what he's made of, and I know he's got our support. I know he's got his guys', teammates' support."
Emerson sustained the injury to his left leg in a non-contact drill. He was planting his foot during a seven-on-seven when he collapsed in pain.
The typical recovery time for an Achilles tear is between eight to 12 months. Emerson's rookie contract is up at the end of this season.
Stefanski talked about the challenges for injured players and the team's effort to keep them involved.
"It is hard, and that's part of the sport," Stefanski said. "Oftentimes when you get injured, you have to go get surgery somewhere else and then you come back, and whether you're rehabbing here or elsewhere, you're in the training room and it's hard. It depends on where you are in your rehab, whether you can get back and join meetings, and even that can be hard mentally.
"For some guys, they really need that and want that to stay, and some guys it hurts that they're not a part of it. So you try to just work with the player circumstantially where they are and what they need. But MJ is a big part of this football team, whether he is out on the field or not. He's a big part of this football team."
Fifth-year pro Greg Newsome II, who had been the starter at the outside cornerback spot opposite Denzel Ward in the Browns' base defense through the first part of camp, will solidify that spot now with Emerson out. Cameron Mitchell, who had backed up Newsome in the slot when they went to a nickel look, now is up first in that role.
After that, it remains a work in progress. There's a group of cornerbacks in that mix, including Myles Harden, Anthony Kendall, Chigozie Anusiem and, when healthy, Tony Brown II.
Nik Needham is also someone who could slide to cornerback, particularly in the slot. Needham is working with the safeties, but has played cornerback as well in his career.
"They need to work through it," Stefanski said. "I think that's the thing that we've seen, certainly this season, every season, you'll have injuries at positions and guys have to earn roles. I think that's what training camp is about, really figuring that out."
Newsome and Mitchell both have plenty of experience playing on Sundays. Since the Browns made him the No. 26 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Newsome has 54 games and 42 starts in his NFL career.
Mitchell has appeared in 30 career games since the Browns selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 draft out of, like Newsome, Northwestern University. He's mostly played in the slot, with 400 career snaps there and 173 outside.
"Cam's always done a nice job," Stefanski said. "He is productive when he is out there. I think he's ball aware, very intelligent player even."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
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