After going through spring workouts and most of training camp without a serious injury concern, the Cleveland Browns are facing some troubling situations on their defense as the preseason comes to a close. They lost Alex Wright to a ruptured Achilles tendon that he suffered in practice last week, and another player might be in line to miss significant time.
Cornerback Michael Coats Jr. was drawing praise from head coach Todd Monken as a valuable depth piece in the secondary. The 25-year-old made six total tackles with an interception and two passes defended in the first two preseason games.
But according to insider Scott Petrak, the Browns defender appeared to suffer a serious injury at practice and was taken to the locker room on a cart.
“Browns CB Michael Coats Jr. being helped off field, not putting weight on right leg,” Petrak posted.
Was just driven inside on a cart https://t.co/3Z3HnRXTDN
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) August 25, 2026
An undrafted free agent, Coats had a second-quarter interception against the Chicago Bears in the Browns’ preseason opener. He injured his ankle in that game and left in the third quarter, but he was able to return to play the next week against the Buffalo Bills.
On Tuesday, Coats was covering tight end Carsen Ryan on a pass over the middle and stayed down after making the tackle. He was helped off the field by trainers with his right leg not touching the ground.
ESPN predicted that Coats would make the final 53-man roster after the Browns searched for cornerback depth throughout the offseason. There is very little experience behind starters Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell and nickel corner Myles Harden, with D’Angelo Ross and Tre Avery projected as backups.
The Browns acted quickly to replace Wright after putting the starting defensive end on injured reserve, signing pass rusher Derek Barnett to a one-year contract. It is unknown if they will pursue that route if Coats also lands on IR, or if they will use Damarri Mathis or Nate Evans to replace him.
There is also a chance that the Browns will search the waiver wire after other teams make their cuts heading toward the Aug. 30 roster deadline.
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