Pro Football Rumors
Martin Emerson did not finish practice for the Browns on Tuesday, and it does not look like the young cornerback will be ready to return anytime soon.
An MRI will be conducted to determine the damage of an Achilles injury Emerson sustained, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport report the tests are expected to reveal a significant tear. This would threaten to sideline Emerson for the season, with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler indicating the team is not optimistic here. As Emerson was carted off, Garafolo notes Jimmy Haslam received a seemingly negative update from Browns trainers.
This was to be an important season for Emerson; his rookie contract expires at year’s end. The Browns have used the former third-round pick as a regular outside and in the slot, shifting him to the boundary during his rookie deal. This stands to impact Emerson’s free agency value while hurting a Cleveland defense that needs to prop up an offense carrying major questions.
Emerson had usurped Greg Newsome as the Browns’ No. 2 corner, outsnapping the older cover man in 2023 and ’24. The Browns have not conducted known extension talks with Emerson, who turns 25 this offseason, but he naturally would have drawn such interest even with Denzel Ward‘s big-ticket deal on the payroll. In light of Tuesday’s setback, Newsome figures to go from trade chip to back in the team’s good graces.
More to come.
