Browns Lose Breakout Star Maliek Collins to Knee Injury in Another Difficult Week

The Cleveland Browns entered Week 13 searching for positives in a season overshadowed by injuries, inconsistency, and mounting losses. Instead, they were dealt another blow when one of their brightest surprises, defensive tackle Maliek Collins, was forced out of Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Collins, who had emerged as one of the league’s most productive interior linemen this season, was carted off in the first half and ruled out immediately. Teammates surrounded him as he exited, underscoring the significance of the moment for a defense that has battled through adversity all year.

The injury occurred during a game in which Cleveland again found itself trailing, slipping toward what appears to be another frustrating loss in a season that began with optimism but has unraveled quickly. The Browns are now on track to fall to 3-9, despite owning one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses in terms of yardage allowed.

For Collins, the setback interrupts what had been a career-best campaign—a rare bright spot on a roster otherwise short on encouraging developments.

1. Breakout Season Ends in Painful Fashion

Collins’ injury struck at the height of his most impressive professional season. Signed by the Browns in free agency, he quickly became a key interior force and entered Week 13 leading all defensive tackles with 6.5 sacks. His production had exceeded his previous career best and placed him on the fringes of Pro Bowl and All-Pro discussions. NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported that Collins was unable to leave the field under his own power and was consoled by teammates as he was taken to the locker room. The immediate ruling of “out” signaled the Browns’ concern that the knee injury was significant. For a player in his 10th season, the setback is particularly difficult. Collins, who turns 31 this offseason, had revitalized his career in Cleveland and established himself as one of the team’s most reliable and impactful defenders. His loss not only affects the Browns on the field but also removes a leader from a unit that has carried the team for much of the year.

2. Pressure Mounts on Young Linemen and Thin Depth Chart

With Collins expected to miss the remainder of the season, the Browns now turn to a rotation headlined by rookie Mason Graham. The first-year lineman has impressed in an expanded role, but Collins’ absence forces the rookie into even greater responsibility down the stretch. The depth behind Graham will also be tested. Veterans Shelby Harris and Sam Kamara figure to see increased snaps, while Mike Hall Jr. climbs into the regular rotation as well. Complicating matters further, depth tackle Adin Huntington is already sidelined with an injury, leaving Cleveland thin in the trenches. The defensive front has been a core strength for the Browns, helping them hold opponents to the second-fewest yards in the league entering Week 13. Maintaining that standard will be more difficult without Collins, particularly against teams with physical offensive lines or strong run games. Cleveland’s coaching staff will likely adjust rotations, lean on schematic creativity, and hope for rapid development from its younger linemen as they attempt to stabilize a shaken position group.

3. Season Outlook Remains Challenging Despite Favorable Week 14 Matchup

At 3-9, the Browns are firmly outside the playoff picture, but they will look to regroup as they prepare to host the Tennessee Titans in Week 14. On paper, the matchup offers a chance to secure a fourth win even as the injury list grows. Still, the loss of Collins adds to a season-long pattern in which key contributors have been unavailable at critical moments. While Cleveland’s defense has done its part statistically, the offense has struggled, and the cumulative impact of absences on both sides of the ball has been impossible to overcome. The final stretch of the season will be an opportunity for evaluation, development, and identifying which young pieces can carry greater responsibility in 2025. But the immediate challenge is keeping the defense competitive without one of its most productive performers. As the Browns prepare for the Titans, their resilience will once again be tested—and their ability to adapt without Collins could define how they finish the year.