CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Browns cornerback Kevin Johnson suffered a lacerated liver during Wednesday’s practice, and he remains hospitalized the team said Thursday.
Johnson suffered an abdominal injury during Wednesday’s practice when tight end Harrison Bryant landed on him and he was admitted to University Hospitals where tests revealed the extent of the injury.
“Obviously, we're thinking about Kevin,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said during his daily Zoom video conference call with reporters Thursday. “It's never fun to see that or hear that, so we're all thinking about Kevin. It was unfortunate and unlucky, but we're hoping he'll be back when he's ready. We want him to get well very soon.”
According to Stefanski, Johnson got injured on a routine play.
“Kevin was trying to make a play on Harrison,” Stefanski said. “I think [defensive coordinator] Joe [Woods] and the defensive staff would have preferred that he held back instead out of an abundance of caution and not dive for it, but they kind of both dove and Harrison landed on top of him. Really unfortunate, unlucky. Hoping for him, that he will be back when he is ready. Really the most important thing right now is that he is safe, and we want him to get well very soon.”
Johnson, who is resting comfortably according to the team, is expected to remain hospitalized for at least another 24 hours for observation.
M.J. Stewart Jr., claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay this month, got a look with the first team defense Thursday and he made his presence felt. Stewart sacked Baker Mayfield and stopped running back Kareem Hunt for a loss during team 11-on-11 work.
“That's the nice part of having an 80-man roster,” Stefanski said. “We have a bunch of guys we're going to try in there. Even prior to this week, we've been working a lot of guys in there. I think you'll see a pretty good rotation.”
The Browns signed Johnson, drafted by the Texans 16th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, to a one-year, $3.5 million contract this offseason.
Throughout his five-year career Johnson has overcome multiple injuries that have sidelined him for 29 games.