CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns lost linebacker Jacob Phillips, potentially for the season, to a torn biceps tendon.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski left open the possibility that Phillips, who will require surgery, could potentially return late in the season.
“I think we will see,” Stefanski said.
Phillips, who will likely be placed on injured reserve, was injured during Thursday’s joint practice with the Giants in Berea.
“I saw it happen on the tape,” Stefanski said. “He just reached out and was trying to defend a guy running a route. Very unfortunate. I feel for Jacob, but he will bounce back. He will attack that rehab.”
Phillips was selected by the Browns in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft and had been getting significant reps in training camp with the first team defense next to Anthony Walker and on special teams.
Phillips played 23 snaps in the preseason opener at Jacksonville and appeared in nine games last season, including three starts where he totaled 25 tackles and a quarterback hit.
As a result of the injury to Phillips combined with Sione Taktaki out with a hamstring, the Browns signed two familiar linebackers: Willie Harvey Jr. and Montrel Meander.