LB for the Browns Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was placed on the reserve/PUP list and will not play in the 2025 season.

The Cleveland Browns received devastating news this week, as standout linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was officially placed on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, effectively ruling him out for the entirety of the 2025 NFL season. The team confirmed the move Monday morning following weeks of speculation surrounding the 2021 second-round pick’s health status.

The decision to shelve Owusu-Koramoah for the year comes as a massive blow to a Browns defense that had emerged as one of the league’s most formidable under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Now, Cleveland must forge ahead without the heartbeat of its linebacker unit — a hybrid defender who brought speed, instinct, and versatility to every down.

Owusu-Koramoah, affectionately known as “JOK” by fans and teammates alike, had grown into a cornerstone piece for the Browns’ defense. Drafted 52nd overall out of Notre Dame in 2021, he quickly made his presence felt with an aggressive playing style and rare sideline-to-sideline range.

Through his first three seasons, JOK steadily improved, recording 210 total tackles, 6 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and countless disruptive plays that didn’t always show up on the stat sheet. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate in 2023 and was widely regarded as one of the NFL’s most promising young linebackers.

But whispers of a lingering lower-body injury began emerging during the 2024 postseason. Despite gutting through pain in the Browns’ playoff appearance, it was clear that something wasn’t right. Multiple offseason evaluations revealed complications stemming from a high ankle sprain and chronic foot discomfort. Cleveland initially hoped rest and rehab would allow JOK to return in time for training camp, but medical evaluations in April prompted a different reality.

Sources close to the team describe the injury as a “multi-structure” foot and ankle issue requiring long-term treatment and monitoring, not a simple clean-up. The team’s medical staff recommended a more conservative path forward — and with that, came the decision to move JOK to the reserve/PUP list before summer workouts began.

Being placed on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list means Owusu-Koramoah is ineligible to play or practice with the team for the entirety of the 2025 season. Unlike the preseason PUP designation, which allows players to return after a minimum of four games, the reserve version is a firm statement: this player will not be eligible for game action for the rest of the year.

The move allows the Browns to free up a roster spot while still retaining JOK’s rights and ensuring he has time to fully recover. It’s a tough but smart strategic decision for a player whose long-term value far outweighs any short-term gains.

Inside the Browns’ facility, the mood following the announcement was somber. Several players and coaches expressed disappointment but emphasized support for their fallen teammate.

“JOK is the kind of guy who sets the tone — on and off the field,” said veteran defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. “You hate to see someone who works that hard go down. But we know he’ll come back even stronger.”

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz called JOK “irreplaceable in spirit,” and added, “We’ve built a system that maximizes guys like him — explosive, intuitive defenders who can wreck a game plan. But we’ve also built depth. This is the NFL. You have to adapt.”

Head coach Kevin Stefanski shared a message of optimism, saying, “Jeremiah is a fierce competitor and an outstanding young man. While we’re heartbroken for him and for the team, this is not the end of his story. We’ll support him every step of the way.”

Owusu-Koramoah himself posted a short but emotional message on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after the announcement:
“Faith > Fear. This is not goodbye, just a pit stop. See y’all in 2026.”

While there’s no true one-for-one replacement for what JOK brings to the Browns defense, Cleveland will now be forced to rely on its depth at linebacker — a group that features a mix of youth and experience but few proven playmakers.

Veteran linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., who returned to the team on a one-year deal this offseason, will now likely assume a greater leadership role. Second-year player Mohamoud Diabate, a promising but raw talent out of Utah, could see increased snaps, especially in sub-packages. Additionally, the Browns are expected to explore the free-agent market and trade opportunities for experienced linebackers who can help plug the gap.

Names like Zach Cunningham, Jaylon Smith, and even a possible reunion with former Brown Mack Wilson Sr. have been floated among league insiders as stopgap options. However, no incoming player is likely to match the unique schematic flexibility JOK afforded Schwartz’s defense.

“He gave us freedom,” Schwartz admitted. “With JOK on the field, we could disguise things, send exotic pressures, shift coverages on the fly. That’s hard to replicate.”

After a 2024 season in which the Browns ranked No. 1 in total defense and reached the Divisional Round of the playoffs, expectations were sky-high heading into 2025. The front office had retained most of its defensive core and added reinforcements at key positions, including the secondary and edge rusher group.

But the loss of JOK shifts the equation — particularly in the AFC North, where the Browns must contend with explosive offenses led by Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Joe Burrow (Bengals), and a rising Steelers squad under second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett.

Without their most dynamic second-level defender, Cleveland’s ability to neutralize dual-threat quarterbacks and tight ends could be compromised. JOK was often tasked with spying mobile QBs, blanketing TEs in man coverage, and even blitzing off the edge. His versatility gave Schwartz the ability to adapt on the fly.

Now, the Browns must hope that continuity along the defensive line and in the secondary can carry the weight.

Beyond the immediate football impact, there are long-term financial and contractual considerations at play. JOK is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Browns were expected to begin negotiating a potential extension this offseason.

With this injury now sidelining him for an entire season, those talks are likely on hold. The Browns could opt to use a fifth-year option or franchise tag in 2026, but the injury cloud complicates any long-term commitments.

General manager Andrew Berry has made a reputation for locking up young talent early — as he did with cornerback Denzel Ward and offensive tackle Jedrick Wills. But the front office will now need to carefully weigh JOK’s medical trajectory against his elite upside.

From JOK’s standpoint, missing a contract year is a frustrating twist of fate. The 24-year-old had been trending toward a breakout season that could’ve cemented his status among the NFL’s elite defenders. Now, he must rehabilitate not only his body but also his free-agent value.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s journey to the NFL was marked by perseverance and passion. A lightly recruited high school player from Hampton, Virginia, he blossomed into an All-American at Notre Dame, where he won the 2020 Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker.

His transition to the NFL wasn’t without challenges — from learning a new scheme to refining his tackling technique against bigger, faster competition. But through it all, he maintained a relentless motor and a team-first attitude.

Those who know JOK best believe this latest setback will not define him.

“He’s as tough mentally as he is physically,” said former Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly. “Jeremiah doesn’t run from adversity. He leans into it.”

With OTAs approaching and training camp on the horizon, the Browns must now recalibrate their defensive expectations. The team still boasts a talented front anchored by Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, and Dalvin Tomlinson, as well as a deep secondary led by Ward, Greg Newsome, and Grant Delpit.

The challenge will be adjusting the linebacker rotation and perhaps shifting more responsibility to the safeties to help cover the middle of the field. Expect Schwartz to roll out more nickel and dime looks, with three-safety packages becoming a core component of the scheme in JOK’s absence.

Offensively, Cleveland will also feel pressure to pick up the slack. With Deshaun Watson entering what many consider a make-or-break year, the burden to control time of possession and score efficiently just grew heavier.

In the NFL, injuries are an inevitable part of the game. But some losses feel heavier than others — and the Browns losing Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah for the 2025 season qualifies as a gut punch.

For a defense built on speed, intelligence, and adaptability, JOK was the chess piece that made it all work. His absence will be felt in every blitz call, every coverage disguise, every key third down.

Still, Cleveland is a team built to compete — and built with depth. If there’s a silver lining, it’s that adversity often reveals character. In JOK’s case, his character has never been in question.

The Browns, and their fans, will wait with open arms for his return in 2026 — and in the meantime, they’ll fight like hell to win for the man who gave them his all.