Joe Flacco’s Week 13 performance against the Los Angeles Rams was at least somewhat encouraging for the Cleveland Browns‘ playoff hopes, but the team just keeps receiving bad news on the injury front during a tumultuous campaign.
Whether it’s Denzel Ward’s shoulder, the quarterback situation or the pass-catching corps, injuries are running rampant for the AFC North hopefuls. And as the week progresses leading up to a crucial clash with the similarly injury-laden Jacksonville Jaguars, unfortunate updates are superseding positive ones.
Amari Cooper received five targets from Flacco in the 36-19 loss to the Rams, hauling in three of them for 34 yards. That brought his season-long tally to 50 catches for 799 yards and a pair of scores in 12 appearances.
But Cooper, who suited up in all 17 regular-season contests last year, now has to worry about his record of perfect attendance. The veteran wideout exited Sunday’s contest in the second quarter after suffering a concussion while attempting to bring in a throw from Flacco, adding yet another name to the laundry list of Cleveland injuries.
Listed with both a concussion and a ribs-related injury, Cooper sat out of practice for the second consecutive day Thursday. His status for the Jacksonville contest remains unknown, but the Browns would surely love to see him trending in the right direction sooner than later.
David Njoku presumably has a better chance of lining up against the Jaguars on Sunday, but concern is growing after he missed a second consecutive day of practice. Though the listed reason is non-injury-related rest for his knee, it’s troubling that the 27-year-old tight end has now failed to participate in practice whatsoever at the week’s midpoint.
