The Cleveland Browns will take all the help they can get heading into this week’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
At 2-7, Kevin Stefanski’s defense has been hampered by injuries, starting early with star defensive end Myles Garrett battling his way through a nagging foot problem, and extending last week to Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) being placed on injured reserve.
Fortunately, the Browns are set to receive a boost ahead of this week’s trip to the Superdome with Stefanski confirming on Wednesday that linebacker Jordan Hicks is set to return to the lineup.
Hicks, a 10-year veteran, has played in only five games during his first season with the Browns, counting for one sack in the Week 2 win over Jacksonville and 14 tackles overall.
Missing four games with elbow and triceps issues, Hicks’ inclusion is likely to shuffle the Browns’ middle defense around.
Promising second-year stud Mohamoud Diabete is slated to switch over to WILL linebacker after spending the last few weeks as the MIKE, meaning Devin Bush could find himself back on the bench.
Despite their long list of injuries, the Browns have done an incredible job to rank in the Top 10 in sacks this season. There hasn’t been a great deal to celebrate in the Dawg Pound, but the pass rush could provide a challenge on Sunday against a Saints team that has posted an 0-3 record in non-conference games.
