The Chicago Bears haven’t been strangers to the injury report this year. It’s been one of the most brutal seasons for losses in a long time. Several of their starters on defense have missed at least a month of games. Some are out for the year. It’s played a big role in the unit’s continued struggles in getting stops. Thankfully, it appears the injury bug has at least quieted somewhat this week. Only two players, Kyler Gordon and Travis Homer, haven’t practiced. The same can’t be said for the Cleveland Browns.
Their injury report is tantamount to a crime scene. Nine players failed to practice on Thursday, while another nine were limited. Three of those names who didn’t practice were starting offensive linemen. However, the biggest surprise was Mason Graham. Cleveland’s 1st round pick has been a big part of the defense’s success this season (2nd overall). Now it appears a rib injury could keep him out of the game. Keep in mind the Browns already lost another key defensive tackle, Maliek Collins, to a season-ending quad injury.
Their defensive front is getting dangerously thin, particularly along the interior.
The Cleveland Browns cannot afford the loss of Graham.
While his sack numbers aren’t high, he is second on the team with 29 pressures. His interior rush has been a big part of helping Myles Garrett rack up 20 sacks in the past 13 games. With both him and Collins potentially out, it will enable the Bears to find more ways to scheme around the superstar defensive end. That is before you get into the problems the Cleveland Browns face against Chicago’s interior offensive line. The trio of Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson has been excellent this year. That is especially true in the run game.
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Cleveland allowed over 180 rushing yards last week against the Tennessee Titans. Keep in mind, they were the worst rushing team in the NFL before that game. Now the Browns have to face the second-best. Throw in the frigid conditions expected, and you have a recipe for a rough outing from that defensive front. Maybe Garrett plays well enough to make it irrelevant, as he sometimes does. Recent history says the Bears will be ready and they will be hungry to take their frustrations out on someone after last week.
