Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah 'Doubtful' to Play Again

Standout linebacker suffered serious neck injury in 2024 collision with Derrick Henry

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is reportedly "doubtful at best" to ever play football again after suffering a serious neck injury in a collision with Ravens running back Derrick Henry in October 2024. Owusu-Koramoah missed the entire 2025 season recovering from the injury and it now appears his NFL career may be over.

Why it matters

Owusu-Koramoah was a rising star for the Cleveland Browns, making the Pro Bowl in 2023 after being a second-round draft pick in 2021. His potential career-ending injury is a major blow to the Browns' defense and a disappointing outcome for a promising young player.

The details

Owusu-Koramoah suffered a "serious, visible compression of his neck" in the collision with Henry and spent the entire 2025 season recovering. Despite the Browns' hopes for his return, a league source has now told Cleveland.com that he is "doubtful at best" to ever play football again.

  • Owusu-Koramoah was injured in a collision with Derrick Henry on October 27, 2024.
  • He missed the entire 2025 NFL season while recovering from the neck injury.

The players

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

A former Pro Bowl linebacker for the Cleveland Browns who suffered a serious neck injury in 2024 that has likely ended his NFL career.

Derrick Henry

The standout running back for the Baltimore Ravens who was involved in the collision that injured Owusu-Koramoah.

Myles Garrett

The star defensive end for the Cleveland Browns who just set the new NFL sack record.

Carson Schwesinger

A standout rookie linebacker for the Cleveland Browns.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Owusu-Koramoah, who suffered a serious neck injury in a violent collision with Ravens running back Derrick Henry on Oct 27, 2024, is doubtful at best to ever make it back to the playing field, a league source tells cleveland.com.”

— Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland.com reporter (Cleveland.com)

What’s next

The Browns will likely have to move forward without Owusu-Koramoah, who was expected to be a key part of their defense for years to come. The team will need to rely more heavily on players like Myles Garrett and the promising rookie Carson Schwesinger to fill the void left by Owusu-Koramoah's potential career-ending injury.

The takeaway

Owusu-Koramoah's injury is a tragic outcome for a talented young player, and a major setback for the Browns' defense. It serves as a sobering reminder of the physical toll the NFL can take, even on its brightest stars. The Browns will need to adapt and find new ways to replace Owusu-Koramoah's production if he is indeed unable to return to the field.