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Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah taken to hospital with neck injury
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- Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah taken to hospital with neck injury
(This story was updated with new information.)
CLEVELAND — Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was carted off the field and taken to a local hospital after sustaining a neck injury with 40 seconds left in the third quarter of Sunday's 29-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens .
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The Browns announced Owusu-Koramoah was taken directly from the field to University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center to be evaluated for a neck injury. They did say he had movement in all of his extremities.
The team issued a statement Sunday night saying Owusu-Koramoah was going to "remain in the overnight for observation as a precaution."
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said in his postgame news conference he intended to call Owusu-Koramoah after he was done.
Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) is hauled off on a stretcher during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
"Very scary anytime that happens," Stefanski said. "So, thinking about him. I'll call him here in a little bit, hopefully get him on the phone. He was playing great."
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The fourth-year pro was coming up to make a tackle on Ravens running back Derrick Henry . He appeared to lower his head as he approached the back, and collided with Henry's right shoulder.
Owusu-Koramoah was immobilized on the board while being carted off, raised his right fist to the crowd as he left. Medical personnel removed his facemask before taking him off.
Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome reacts while medical staff and teammates check on linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
"I saw the hit as it happened," defensive end Myles Garrett said. "It was a violent collision and two strong, powerful men. And I think JOK just went low, caught him on the side of the head a little bit and kind of whipped his head back, and it's part of the game. It's definitely unfortunate to see it being JOK, one of our guys, great human being. But he's going to be in our thoughts and prayers.
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"We're going to be checking up on him, going to see him, but he'll be back to us soon. He's tough as nails, and I know he'll have some kind of herbal concoction and get him right back on the field."
Owusu-Koramoah was drafted by the Browns in the second round of the 2021 draft with the thought being the Notre Dame linebacker could be an especially important weapon against the Ravens and their elusive quarterback, Lamar Jackson . He was in the midst of a strong performance against Baltimore.
The five solo tackles Owusu-Koramoah had Sunday were a team-high, while the seven combined tackles was third on the team. He was credited with a sack, as well as two quarterback hits and three tackles for loss.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson runs past Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the third quarter on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
"That's one of my best friends on the team, in life in general," Browns linebacker Mohamoud Diabate said. "We talk every single day. We're in position meetings every day. So to see him down, it hurt me. That's like seeing my blood brother down. So only thing I could do is pray for him and go out there and play for him. Both of them, pray and play for him.
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"So I feel like we did both of those things and I'm still praying for him, and as soon as I'm able to go see him I'm going to go see him and make sure he's OK. And I know he's going to be back and even better."
Owusu-Koramoah was one of the players in the NFL wearing the Guardian cap during games, which he started doing for a Week 2 win at the Jacksonville Jaguars . Although it's mandated for many positions to be worn in practice, it's at players' discretion during games.
"Yeah, Week 1 I had one hit," Owusu-Koramoah said after the Jacksonville game of wearing the Guardian cap. "Then I kind of felt it a little bit, so I'm like, 'Man, lemme try this Guardian Cap and see what he's talking about.' But it was good though."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah sustains neck injury in Browns vs Ravens game
