Full Breakdown
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah to Miss 2026 Season as Browns Place LB on Reserve/PUP List
5/9/2026, 2:27:18 AM
The Decision and Immediate Impact
The Cleveland Browns announced on May 8, 2026 that linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has been moved to the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, rendering him unavailable for the entire 2026 NFL season. This marks the second consecutive year the 26-year-old misses a full campaign after a severe neck injury sustained on Oct 27, 2024 while attempting to tackle Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry. He was briefly hospitalized at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, released the next day, and has not returned to football activities since.
Background: Injury and Prior Performance
Owusu-Koramoah entered the 2024 season as a Pro Bowl-caliber defender. In 2023 he recorded a career-high 101 combined tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. At the time of the 2024 injury he led Cleveland with 60 combined tackles (38 solo, 22 assisted), one interception and 10 tackles for loss. The linebacker was a second-round pick from Notre Dame in the 2021 draft and signed a three-year extension worth up to $39 million in August 2024. He has appeared in 49 career games, amassing 302 tackles, eight sacks, three interceptions and 40 tackles for loss.
Key Figures
- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Linebacker, 2021 second-round pick, pursuing a master’s in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School.
- Andrew Berry – Browns general manager, overseeing roster decisions and medical protocols.
- Derrick Henry – Ravens running back whose collision caused the injury.
Data & Statistics
- 2023 season: 101 tackles, 20 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 INT.
- Career totals (through 2024): 302 tackles, 8 sacks, 3 INT, 40 TFL.
- Contract: 3-year, $39 million extension (through 2027).
- Injury date: Oct 27, 2024 (Week 8 vs. Ravens).
Official Statements & Responses
General manager Andrew Berry has repeatedly emphasized the Browns’ priority on Owusu-Koramoah’s long-term health. At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine he described the situation as “month-to-month,” noting the organization is not “overly optimistic” but has no binding deadline for a decision. Earlier comments highlighted that “Jeremsey’s health is of the utmost importance” and that the team is following guidance from “world-class medical experts.” The Browns have also indicated that the player’s academic pursuits at Harvard are fully supported while his football future remains uncertain.
Criticism & Concerns
Medical staff and league insiders have voiced growing doubts about the safety of a full-contact return, citing the nature of the neck compression as potentially career-ending. The lack of a definitive medical prognosis fuels speculation about whether Owusu-Koramoah can ever resume NFL play.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Public information stops short of providing a concrete timeline for clearance, and no detailed medical assessment has been released. Consequently, the exact probability of a 2027 return remains unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm not necessarily overly optimistic but there isn't a hard deadline where we have to make some type of binding decision.” — Andrew Berry, Browns GM
- “While he has made progress, we are following the guidance of world-class medical experts.” — Andrew Berry, Browns spokesperson
- “Never chase what god is removing from your life. Trust the exit,” — Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Instagram story
- “Suddenly, head to toe, I went paralyzed. As I lay on the field, unable to move, my thought was only, ‘Please God, let me get up,” — Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, entrance essay to Harvard Kennedy School
- “The body may rest, but the calling never sleeps… I don’t know what’s next, but I’ll continue trusting my medical team.” — Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, public statement
What’s Next
Owusu-Koramoah will begin full-time coursework in public policy at Harvard in fall 2026, while remaining under contract with Cleveland through the 2027 season. The Browns have turned to younger talent, including 2025 draft pick Carson Schwesinger, to fill the linebacker void. As the team prepares for the 2026 campaign, the focus remains on the player’s health and potential post-football contributions.
