The Browns are working through unfortunate injury news to two key players — one on each side of the ball — after Sunday's loss to the Ravens.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that LB Jacob Phillips suffered a pectoral injury that will "likely" be season-ending. TE David Njoku also suffered an ankle injury and is considered "week-to-week."
Phillips has played in all seven games this season, his third in the NFL, and has started the last four at middle linebacker. He leads the Browns with 46 tackles and has also served as the defense's "green sticker" player to relay play calls to the rest of the defense since LB Anthony Walker Jr. suffered a season-ending quadriceps injury in Week 3.
Njoku is second on the Browns with 418 receiving yards and caught all seven of his targets Sunday for 71 yards. He left Sunday’s game in the third quarter and did not return.
"I feel for all our guys when they're going through these," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "It's not fun to be hurt, it's not fun to be in the training room, not fun to get surgery and rehab and all those things."
Check out photos of the Browns against the Ravens in Week 7
Defensive end Alex Wright (94) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) and Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Kicker Cade York (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
The offense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Kicker Cade York (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Kicker Cade York (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Linebacker Deion Jones (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Safety John Johnson III (43) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) and Cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Safety John Johnson III (43) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Defensive end Alex Wright (94) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Tight end Pharaoh Brown (84) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Defensive end Alex Wright (94) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Running Back Coach Stump Mitchell during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Special team during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Defensive tackle Taven Bryan (99) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Linebacker Dakota Allen (56) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Harrison (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Offensive guard Hjalte Froholdt (72) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Kicker Cade York (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Kicker Cade York (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Linebacker Deion Jones (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai (93) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai (93) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Fans during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey (97) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Linebacker Jacob Phillips (50) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Defensive end Alex Wright (94) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Stefanski felt sympathy for Phillips, who also missed all but four games in 2021 due to a torn biceps injury.
"I know this: He responds when he has to do this," Stefanski said. "He works like crazy. I know he'll work like crazy to get back out there. Unfortunately, injuries are a part of our game. We see it too often in this league, and it's so unfortunate for the players and also Jacob, but it's also part of the game."
If Phillips does indeed miss the remainder of the season, the Browns will have to find a new player to wear the green sticker.
Linebackers coach Jason Tarver said last week that newly-acquired LB Deion Jones had already become a candidate for the role. Jones played in 33 snaps (52 percent) of the snaps Sunday in his Browns debut and tallied five tackles, but Stefanski said a new player for the job hasn't been decided.
"We'll work through all those things," he said.
Even though he's been tabbed as week-to-week, Njoku hasn't been ruled out by Stefanski for Week 8 against the Bengals.
"It's a Monday night game, so I want to get later in the week before I make that determination," he said.
In addition to Njoku, TE Pharaoh Brown is also in concussion protocol after Sunday's game. Harrison Bryant is the only other tight end on the roster.
Ward remains in protocol
In additional injury news, CB Denzel Ward, who missed his second straight game in Week 7, remains in concussion protocol, per Stefanski.
With Ward out, Greg Newsome II and rookie M.J. Emerson Jr. filled the void at the position and each played 63 snaps (98 percent). They contributed to an overall terrific performance from the defense that limited QB Lamar Jackson to just nine completions on 16 pass attempts for 120 yards. Top WR Rashod Bateman was held to 42 yards on four receptions.
Stefanski still awaiting penalty explanation
Stefanski said after the game Sunday that he was seeking an explanation from the league on the false start penalty before the Ravens blocked Cade York's 60-yard field goal attempt to tie the game. Michael Dunn, who was lined up at left guard, was flagged before the kick attempt, although replay didn't appear to show him move before a few Ravens players jumped on the right side of the line.
Stefanski said Monday he still hadn't gotten an explanation on the call.
"Not yet," he said. "I have had one phone call in. I will have another phone call later today."
York's attempt from 60 yards was also taken four yards behind the scrimmage instead of the normal 5-yard distance most kickers use when attempting field goals. Stefanski said the 1-yard move-up "is just something with (long snapper) Charley (Hughlett) and holder (P Corey Bojorquez) that we have to work through."
