Cleveland Browns face a tough July 2025 update: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is out for the season, but OT Dawand Jones returns. How will the team adapt?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The dog days of summer delivered a gut punch to the Dawg Pound on Saturday. The Cleveland Browns announced that dynamic linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will miss the entire 2025 season with a neck injury, a devastating blow to a defense that relied on his sideline-to-sideline speed. But as one star is forced to the sidelines, another is making his triumphant return, offering a glimmer of hope on an otherwise difficult day.
He was leading the team with 61 tackles at the time of his injury.
The news no fan wanted to hear became official: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has been placed on the reserve/PUP list and will not see the field in 2025. The neck injury, suffered late last season, proved too significant to overcome for the upcoming campaign. JOK was the heart of the defense, a blur of motion who was leading the team with 61 tackles before he was hurt. While he remains with the team during his recovery, his on-field presence will be sorely missed. The front office anticipated this possibility, drafting UCLA's Carson Schwesinger in the second round, who now faces immense pressure to contribute immediately.
In a much-needed dose of good news, offensive tackle Dawand Jones is back and preparing to anchor the left side of the line. After a season-ending broken fibula in Week 11 last year, Jones is reportedly healthy, in shape, and a full participant in the voluntary offseason program. With Jedrick Wills Jr.'s departure in free agency, the left tackle position was a major question mark. Jones's recovery and readiness to compete for the starting role provide a massive sigh of relief for the offense and protection for the quarterback.
The intrigue continues in the quarterback room. Reports surfaced that Shedeur Sanders' future in Cleveland is uncertain. As he battles for a spot on the depth chart, the Canadian Football League (CFL) has emerged as a potential destination if he doesn't secure a prominent role. It's a fascinating subplot heading into training camp, highlighting the intense competition for roster spots and the tough decisions looming for the coaching staff. The next few weeks will be pivotal in determining whether Sanders' professional journey continues south of the border or heads north.
Even with the loss of JOK, the defensive front remains a clear position of strength. As camp approaches, the main question isn't about talent, but about trimming the fat. The team faces the difficult task of cutting the deep defensive line group down to about 10 players. Coaches are reportedly exploring ways to maximize versatility, with players like Alex Wright potentially seeing snaps on the interior and Isaiah Maguire getting more looks at defensive end. This depth will be crucial in weathering the storm of a long season.
Saturday was a classic reminder of the NFL's brutal nature—a day of significant loss and hopeful returns. The absence of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will be felt all season, placing a heavy burden on the rest of the defense. Yet, the return of Dawand Jones and the intense competition brewing across the roster show the team's resilience. As training camp looms, all eyes will be on Berea to see who steps up to fill the voids and seize the opportunities that have suddenly appeared.
