The Cleveland Browns have already been hit with a big blow for 2025, as the team announced on Monday that star linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will miss the entire season recovering from the serious neck injury he suffered last year.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter , the Browns announced that Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has been placed on the Reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, meaning he’ll miss the entire 2025 season.

Owusu-Koramoah suffered a severe neck injury during a tackle attempt on Derrick Henry in the Browns’ Week 8 home game against the Baltimore Ravens. The 2021 second-round pick was carted off and missed the rest of the season.

In a statement, Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry said the organization will not offer a guess on his playing future, but the 25-year-old is “in good spirits” and will continue listening to medical experts on his recovery.

The Browns drafted Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the second round (52nd overall) in 2021 after making the postseason for the first time since 2002. JOK earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2023 after recording 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, six pass breakups, one forced fumble and 101 combined tackles.

Before the 2024 season, the Browns and Owusu-Koramoah agreed to a lucrative three-year contract extension worth $39 million. He had three sacks, one interception and three pass breakups in eight games before suffering the season-ending neck injury.

Best wishes to Owusu-Koramoah in his recovery.

Cleveland Browns Need Other Players To Step Up With Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Out For Season

With JOK missing all of 2025, the Browns are going to need more than the all-world play of Myles Garrett if their defense is to rebound after a disappointing 2024 season.

Cleveland used the No. 5 pick on promising Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham and brought in veterans Maliek Collins and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to bolster their front seven in free agency. We’ll see if these additions are enough to help the Browns regain their form on defense without Owus-Koramoah.