By Rowan Fisher-ShottonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Cleveland Browns’ defensive front lost a central piece Sunday when defensive tackle Maliek Collins was carted off the field with a knee injury and ruled out for the remainder of Cleveland’s Week 13 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Collins signed with Cleveland in March on a two-year, $20 million deal and had quickly justified the investment.
Entering Sunday’s game, he had recorded 24 combined tackles and 6.5 sacks this season — a career‑high sack total that ranks among the best for interior defensive linemen.
He had also delivered one of his strongest performances of the year in Week 12, with 2.5 sacks and a recovered fumble in a key win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Collins exited in the third quarter against the 49ers after being evaluated by team medical staff on the sideline.
Soon after, renowned sports doctor David J. Chao indicated it may be a patellar tendon rupture.
Loading twitter content...
Read More: Jerry Jones Sends Sharp Message to Micah Parsons After Cowboys Win
Collins was a third-round draft pick (No. 67 overall) by the Dallas Cowboys in 2016, and has spent the last decade developing into one of the NFL's most reliable interior defenders.
Over 147 career games, he has 263 combined tackles, 37 sacks, nine fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one interception.
Prior to signing with the Browns, he spent a year in San Francisco (2024), three with the Houston Texans (2021-2023), one with the Raiders (2019), and his first four with the Cowboys.
...Read More: NFL Announces Punishment for Bears WR DJ Moore After Steelers Incident
Collins’ absence bluntly reduces the Browns’ interior pass rush and run-defense flexibility, with veteran Shelby Harris as the backup to step in alongside Mason Graham.
Even with those pieces in place, Collins’ unique blend of one-on-one quickness and interior pressure will be hard to replace.
With Collins exiting Sunday's game, the next firm answers will come after imaging and the team’s medical evaluation.
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
Affiliate LinksHow to Watch Rams vs Panthers: Live Stream NFL, TV Channel2 min read
Affiliate LinksHow to Watch Jaguars vs Titans: Live Stream NFL, TV Channel2 min read
Affiliate LinksHow to Watch Cardinals vs Buccaneers: Live Stream NFL, TV Channel2 min read
Affiliate LinksHow to Watch Saints vs Dolphins: Live Stream NFL, TV Channel2 min read
NFLChiefs, Patrick Mahomes Get Striking Prediction Following Cowboys Defeat3 min read
NFLSevere Weather Expected for Shedeur Sanders’ First Browns Home Start2 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
PoliticsKristi Noem Says National Guard Shooter Was ‘Radicalized’ in the US5 min read
WorldVenezuela Hits Back After Donald Trump Announces Airspace Closure4 min read
NewsPope Leo Backs a Palestinian State During Mideast Trip: ‘Only Solution’5 min read
NewsThousands of Flights Delayed, Hundreds Canceled as Winter Storm Lashes US3 min read
NewsDonald Trump Has Taken Prince Harry’s Crown8 min read
NewsNetanyahu Requests Pardon from Israeli President After Trump Push4 min readTrending
WeatherWinter Storm Warning As 13 Inches of Snow To Strike: ‘Extreme Caution’3 min read
NcaaNick Saban Has Harsh Message for Ole Miss Amid Lane Kiffin Decision3 min read
Donald TrumpMap Shows Donald Trump’s Approval Rating in Each State After 10 Months4 min read
AldiAldi Recall Update: Customers Told Discard Christmas Products ‘Immediately’3 min read
NWSWinter Storm Warning as 8 Inches of Snow to Hit North and Midwest3 min readOpinion
OpinionRedefining Professional Degrees Will Hurt Everyday Americans | Opinion5 min read
OpinionAI Is Coming for Our Most Intimate Communications. Congress Must Act | Opinion5 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: The Thanksgiving Tragedies Edition3 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: The Anti-Thanksgiving Edition3 min read
OpinionHow to Remain Grounded and Thankful Amid the Chaos5 min read
