Key Browns Defensive Player Could Return From Injury Soon

After uncertainty of whether he’d miss the rest of the season with a pectoral injury, Ogbo Okoronkwo is set to return to practice this week

The Browns might not be down one of their top defensive end players for the rest of the season after all.

DE Ogbo Okoronkwo returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering a pectoral injury on Dec. 10 against the Jaguars. The Browns were initially uncertain if the injury would sideline him for the rest of the season, and it now appears that Okoronkwo could return in time for the playoffs.

“We’ll see how he does,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He’s trending in the right direction and has put in a ton of work, so it’s exciting to have him back out there.”

Nov 19, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) raises his arm to pump up the crowd against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Okoronkwo had been one of the biggest contributors in the defensive line rotation prior to his injury and was on his way to a career season — he still sits third on the Browns with 4.5 sacks despite missing the last three games. He’s one sack away from eclipsing his career-best season set a year ago, when he had five sacks with the Texans.

But Okoronkwo’s presence means more to the Browns than just sacks. He’s been a versatile piece for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and is capable of playing both inside and outside positions, which has allowed the Browns to find better matchups for their top edge rushers, Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith.

Okoronkwo initially played through his injury against the Jaguars, which drew big praise from Schwartz after the team found out the extent of his injury.

“Ogbo came back and played, God bless him, he had one arm,” Schwartz said. “I mean, I didn't 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 Browns never placed Okoronkwo on injured reserve, which was a good sign they were optimistic he could return before the end of the year.

Even if Okoronkwo is capable of playing Sunday in the last game of the regular season, the Browns will likely choose to rest him another week and give his injury time to heal. They’ll likely be resting several other starters, too, when the Browns close the regular season Sunday in Cincinnati.