BEREA, Ohio (AP) - Cleveland’s defense took another big hit.
A day after giving up 246 yards rushing, the Browns learned they may be without Pro Bowl linebacker Joe Schobert for several games because of a hamstring injury.
Schobert got hurt in the third quarter of Sunday’s 38-14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and coach Hue Jackson said Monday he will be “down for a little while.”
Jackson could not provide a time frame on Schobert.
“How long that will be, let’s go week to week with that and see where he is,” Jackson said. “Hamstrings are tricky. Some last longer. Some end up shorter. We will see how all of that unfolds.”
Cleveland’s defense can’t afford to lose Schobert, who tied for the league lead with 144 tackles last season and hasn’t missed a defensive snap since the start of 2017. He’s also the defense’s “quarterback,” calling the formations called in by coordinator Gregg Williams.
Schobert was replaced by James Burgess Jr., who injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter and likely will sit out this week’s game at Tampa Bay. Jackson said Christian Kirskey could slide over from outside linebacker to take Schobert’s spot.
Also, Browns wide receiver Rod Streater suffered a neck fracture while covering a punt Sunday and is done for the season. Streater got hurt in the first quarter in the latest blow for Cleveland’s injury-depleted receiving unit.
Streater was expected to get more playing time while Rashard Higgins (knee) and Derrick Willies (collarbone) recover from their injuries.
The Browns said Streater is “doing well” and team doctors expect him to make a full recovery. Streater does not need surgery at this time.
Willies had an operation Monday after he broke his collarbone during practice on Friday. The team remains hopeful Willies will return at some point in 2018.
The injury situation could force the Browns to sign another wide receiver or make a trade. The team signed free agent Breshad Perriman on Saturday, but he did not have enough time to learn the offense and was inactive Sunday.
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