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'Guys in that room are dependent on you': Young safeties pushed to forefront by injuries
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- 'Guys in that room are dependent on you': Young safeties pushed to forefront by injuries
BEREA — D'Anthony Bell's total number of defensive snaps over the Browns first 12 games totaled 22. The total number of defensive snaps the second-year pro played in this past Sunday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars totaled 23.
"It is definitely, definitely good," Bell said Wednesday. "It's definitely a happy moment. I'm just happy that I can do whatever I can to help the team win. It's all about us, so we always say about us and that's what it's about."
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Those numbers are only likely to rise this Sunday when the Browns (8-5) play host to the Chicago Bears (5-8). The safety position has been decimated by injuries, with Grant Delpit being the latest to go on injured reserve Wednesday with a groin injury sustained in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars.
Delpit, who's done for the regular season but could potentially make a comeback in the playoffs, joins veteran Rodney McLeod as safeties on injured reserve. The Browns' other starting safety, Juan Thornhill , reaggravated the injury to his calf in pregame warmups this past Sunday and missed the game, as well as Wednesday's practice.
Bell came on to finish out Sunday's game in place of Delpit. Thornhill's spot in the starting lineup was filled by rookie Ronnie Hickman , who had played a total of 22 defensive snaps in the three previous game combined and 41 total through the first 12 games.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) jumps over Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
"Yeah, I think that's just the business that we play in," Hickman said. "Any given play, any given time, a guy can go down. But we work, put the work in during the week so that if your number is called or when that time come, because it will come, you need to be ready because the guys in that room are dependent on you."
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The undrafted rookie out of Ohio State's words may never be more true than they are for at least this week. Bell, Hickman and veteran Duron Harmon , who was signed to the 53-man roster off the practice squad Wednesday, were the only active-roster safeties on the practice field Wednesday.
Thornhill's progress through the rest of the week will be critical to the depth at the safety position, just the latest position on the Browns roster that's been taken apart by injuries. If he can return, that would at least return one starter to the lineup.
If Thornhill can't play, it's likely to be Bell and Hickman starting. That's not even three full seasons combined between the two, although McLeod believes they're much closer to ready than some would think.
"We talk about the beginning of the year, everybody's going to contribute at some point," said McLeod, who sustained a season-ending bicep injury in Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers . "You never know when your number's going to get called, but ensuring that you're ready for the opportunity. And you saw that firsthand this week with Rocket, who's been able to step in along the way this season, but in a bigger role this past Sunday and played well. And the same thing for D Bell. so just encouraged by what we saw."
Aug 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns safety D'Anthony Bell (37) and defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Rookies like Hickman already have enough on their plate just trying to get themselves up to speed on playing football in the NFL. That's before the added weight of the detailed game plan on a week-to-week basis.
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Hickman said that's where the veterans like McLeod, a 12-year veteran, have been huge. Even players like Thornhill, a fifth-year pro, and Delpit, a fourth-year pro, have the experience necessary to set the tone that the younger players are now trying follow with so many of the older players sidelined.
"I think it's a test to the veterans in the room and the older guys in the locker room, just paving the way, showing guys what to do, what not to do, and then being a vocal leader in that aspect," Hickman said. "Really just for me, trying to be a sponge to everything. Learning from the older guys, learning from things that they've done, what has worked and what hasn't and just putting in the work as well."
Harmon would at least supplement the veteran void created by McLeod's injury, although McLeod has been a constant presence in the Browns locker room since his injury occurred. Harmon was originally drafted in the third round of the 2013 draft by the New England Patriots , with whom he played in four Super Bowls and won three of them in seven seasons.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: D'Anthony Bell, Ronnie Hickman pushed out front by Browns injuries
