One of the hardest things a professional athlete can face is getting injured and having to watch his teammates move on without him. It is especially difficult when it looks like he may never return to the field.
It is also encouraging when that player can be uplifted by what he’s seeing, and that seems to be the case for Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The 26-year-old has been sidelined for almost two years by a serious neck injury, and though he has yet to announce his retirement, it looks like his playing days could be over.
After the Browns’ 13-10 win against the rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Owusu-Koramoah sent a four-word message on social media, indicating it is a reason why they all play the game.
“One of those days!” Owusu-Koramoah posted.
One of those days! 🐶
— JOK (@j_owuu) October 18, 2026
Sunday’s result had to be especially gratifying to Owusu-Koramoah. He was injured on Oct. 27, 2024, in a game against the Ravens while tackling running back Derrick Henry. Owusu-Koramoah was hospitalized for the neck injury and did regain movement in his extremities.
He did not play again that season and missed all of the 2025 campaign. He was placed on the reserve/PUP list by Cleveland in May, ruling him out for this year as well.
A second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Owusu-Koramoah made a career-high 101 combined tackles and earned a Pro Bowl nod for the 2023 season. He signed a three-year contract extension in August 2024 and has played in just eight games since then.
In April, Owusu-Koramoah said he was weighing his options with regard to extending his career. In September, he sent a social media post lamenting the fact that he was not preparing to begin another season. He has kept busy by pursuing his master’s degree in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Owusu-Koramoah may be holding out hope that he can return to the field someday, and perhaps he will be further motivated by watching the Browns continue on an unexpectedly successful season that has them in first place in the AFC North nearing the halfway point.
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