CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon suffered a ruptured Achilles during Sunday’s 24-22 win over the Steelers.
Kevin Stefanski revealed Monday an MRI confirmed the injury, however the Browns’ head coach declined to say anything about the status of players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
“I can’t really get into specifics,” Stefanski said. “I will just tell you that we will work through all of that, we will follow the protocols and see where they lead.”
Vernon will undergo surgery according to Stefanski.
“Obviously I’m very disappointed for OV,” Stefanski said. “[He] was playing at a high level. We’re going to miss his leadership.”
Vernon racked up 9.0 sacks this season with five in the last five weeks of the season, including one Sunday.
“He stepped up his game. A bunch of guys have done that this season, and OV’s a great example of that,” Stefanski said. “We were counting on him, we needed him and he stepped up. He’s a leader for the football team in how he plays. OV doesn’t say much, but when he talks, I think the guys listen. But just goes about his business.
“[He is] hard to replace. I don’t know if you replace any player, but we need guys to step up.”
Vernon went down with 10:25 remaining in the fourth quarter and was helped off the field by trainers to the medical tent before he was carted to the locker room.
Adrian Clayborn is expected to take Vernon’s place in the starting lineup.
Six players are currently on Reserve/COVID-19 – tight end Harrison Bryant, linebacker B.J. Goodson, cornerback Kevin Johnson, safety Andrew Sendejo, linebacker Malcolm Smith and cornerback Denzel Ward.
“I really do not know just because every situation is so different,” Stefanski said. “I will just wait until [Senior Vice President of Player Health and Development] Joe Sheehan tells me they are available.”