There’s a chance Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah might be forced to retire at the young age of 26.
Owusu-Koramoah, the No. 52 overall pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, earned Pro Bowl honors for the Browns during the 2023 season. Unfortunately, his 2024 campaign was cut short in Week 8 when he suffered a neck injury against the Baltimore Ravens. He was carted off the field after his collision with running back Derrick Henry.
Advertisement
Well before the 2025 season even started, the Browns said Owusu-Koramoah would be out for all 17 games because of this neck injury.
“Jeremiah’s health is of the utmost importance to us and although he has made progress toward recovery, we’ve made the decision to place him on reserve/PUP, which means he will not play football during the 2025 season,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said in May. “Jeremiah has the full support of our team, and we expect him to continue to be a part of the organization even though he will not return to the field this year. We will not make any predictions on Jeremiah’s football future at this time, but we do note that he’s in good spirits and will continue to take the advice of the world-class medical experts who will continue to guide his progress and recovery.”
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com provided an update on Owusu-Koramoah this Saturday. Unfortunately, she said the former Notre Dame star’s NFL career is in doubt.
Advertisement
“Owusu-Koramoah, who suffered a serious neck injury in a violent collision with Ravens running back Derrick Henry on Oct 27, 2024, is doubtful at best to ever make it back to the playing field, a league source tells cleveland.com,” she wrote.
Sep 15, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images© Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.
(© Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.)Heartbroken for JOK.
As you’d imagine, NFL fans are pretty devastated that Owusu-Koramoah might never play again.
“In a long list of Browns/Cleveland ‘what could have been’ players, JOK’s career being prematurely ended ranks high up in the saddest cases,” a Browns fan wrote on X.
Advertisement
“Absolutely brutal, JOK was such a good player,” one person said.
“One of my favorite players in recent memory….. I used to dream of JOK in midnight green,” an Eagles fan said.
“Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Possibly my favorite football player of all time,” another Browns fan commented. “His instincts are second to none. He diagnoses a play and hits the hole like a torpedo. If he never plays football again, he’ll be missed, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s an amazing human.”
Advertisement
We’re certainly hoping Owusu-Koramoah makes a full recovery, regardless if he returns to the Browns or not.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Feb 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.