Browns likely lose their leading sacker for the season to a freak workout injury
Desmond Bryant tore a pectoral muscle during a workout and had surgery
The Brownsing started earlier than usual this year. Two full months ahead of the regular-season opener and two weeks until players put on the pads again for training camp, the Browns lost their leading sacker, Desmond Bryant, for the season.
On Wednesday, the team announced Bryant underwent surgery on a torn pectoral muscle on Tuesday, which he suffered during a workout last week. According to multiple reports (ESPN and NFL Network to name two), the injury took place while Bryant did something players do constantly in the offseason. He was lifting weights at the gym.
In the announcement, Bryant's chances to return this season were described as "unlikely."
"We feel awful for Des," said Browns head coach Hue Jackson in the release. "This is a young man that worked extremely hard this offseason to prepare himself for the 2016 season. He really bought into our coaching, our team-over-self-philosophy and was intent on becoming a leader for our team. Ray (Horton) and the defensive staff were expecting a really productive season from him. We all understand that injuries are part of this profession and as a team you have to find a way to overcome them. There is no doubt that we will miss Des this season and we all wish him a speedy recovery."
Unless you're a Raiders or Browns fan, you probably know Bryant best as the unintentional creator of the brief #Dezzing sensation, thanks to this unusual mughost in 2013:
McClain mugging during his arrest, Bryant looking tore-up during his photo-op... #Raiders sure photograph well: pic.twitter.com/3VQIMGPe2S
— Victor Cotto (@cottovic) February 25, 2013
This shouldn't come as a surprise, but the Browns might be in trouble next season. Last year, Bryant led the Browns with six sacks -- a career-high -- and added 33 combined tackles and a forced fumble in 14 games. In his three seasons with the Browns, he's averaged 4.83 sacks per season, so he's been a solid contributor for the team since he left Oakland.
They'll also be without Armonty Bryant (5.5 sacks) for the first four games of the season due to a suspension. The two Bryants finished first and second in sacks for the Browns, who totaled just 29 throughout the course of the season, which ranked 28th in the league.
Meanwhile, the first game of Tom Brady's official Deflategate revenge tour will come against the Browns. The Cavaliers finally brought Cleveland a championship this summer, but the football gods still appear to hate the city.
















