Cleveland Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon suffered a ruptured Achilles in the Browns 24-22 win over the Steelers on Sunday.
#Browns DE Olivier Vernon tore his Achilles and will have surgery, per coach Kevin Stefanski. A pending free agent, he faces a long recovery.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 4, 2021
Before leaving the game with injury, he had a sack and 2 tackles for a loss.
🚨OLIVIER VERNON SACK🚨
Leads to a Steelers FG.
Browns 10-6#browns https://t.co/JKY4qM625D
— Barstool Cleveland (@BarstoolCleve) January 3, 2021
He finishes the season with 36 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and 9 sacks in 14 games.
Vernon suffered the same injury as Grant Delpit who was injured in training camp and has missed the entire season.
He had only 3.5 sacks in 2019, but was making a strong case for the Browns to re-sign him after the season by recording 9 sacks on the year.
Vernon is now set for surgery and an uncertain future with the Browns and perhaps in the league.
“Obviously I’m very disappointed for OV,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He was playing at a high level and we’ll miss his leadership.”
The Browns will miss Vernon in their Sunday night Wild Card Playoff matchup, but expect other guys to step up in the role.
The Browns will now lean on other players such as Porter Gustin and Adrian Clayborn.
They also will need to lean on star defensive end Myles Garrett even more to make life miserable for Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger.
NEXT: Kevin Stefanski Gives Joel Bitonio Game Ball After Win
