Jim Schwartz Stunned That Ogbo Okoronkwo Played Through Injury For Browns

Ogbo Okoronkwo's pectoral injury was a surprise to most of us, what was even more shocking is that he suffered the injury early in Sunday's game and played through it, earning the respect of his teammates and coaches.

The signing of Ogbo Okoronkwo this offseason was quietly one of the best free-agent additions that Andrew Berry and his team made. Okoronkwo had a very good but under the radar start to his career in Los Angeles and Houston, so the Browns decided to make him a long-term depth addition to this team.

How did he reward them? Well, he made the very first tackle of the season on Joe Mixon back in the first week of September. Since then, he has been nothing short of great for this Browns defense.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) fires up the crowd after the Cincinnati Bengals committed a false start in the second quarter of an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland :: © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Myles Garrett has longed for a running mate on the other side of the defensive line and this offseason he got two of them, in veteran Za'Darius Smith and Okoronkwo.

On the year, Okoronkwo has 31 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks which is good for second on the team. He has been a force in the run game and a welcomed addition to this vaunted defensive line.

Sunday,however, may have marked the end of his season. While the team is still waiting for confirmation on whether or not he needs season-ending surgery on his pectoral muscle, head coach Kevin Stefanski suggested this week that things are heading that way. 

The news of his injury came as a bit of a surprise this week considering Okoronkwo finished Sunday's game. Little did anyone know that he was playing with a pectoral injury that left his arm rendered useless.

During his Thursday press conference, defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz praised the pass-rushers for his toughness.

"Ogbo came back and played, God bless him, he had one arm. I mean, I didnt realize it as the game was going on. I watched the film and almost threw up that he was out there. He's a tough guy and actually did his job in the scheme. He felt the responsibility (to be out there)"

The fact that he played through such a severe injury says a lot about Okoronkwo, and the culture surrounding this defense and team. Nobody wants to let the guys around them down.

No one can explain why this beat-up Browns team is eight-and-five, but when people ask, point to this example. Some things you can't quantify, and the way a team sacrifices for each other is one of them. 

If there is any hope for this team to clinch a playoff berth in the coming weeks and make a magical run, they'll have to continue playing this way, particularly if Okoronkwo's injury becomes an extended absence.