Ahead of the Rams game, a Browns wide receiver was hit with a season-long suspension.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II of the Cleveland Browns has been suspended for the final six games of the regular season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Woods, who was originally drafted by the Browns in the sixth round of the 2022 draft out of Oklahoma, tore his Achilles during the offseason while working out with quarterback Deshaun Watson. Though he will be able to serve the suspension during his absence, he will not be paid for those six weeks.
The league did not provide many details about the suspension, but Tom Pelissero of NFL Network said it was triggered by an incident that occurred over the summer. During his collegiate career, which spanned from 2018 to 21, he started 38 of 43 games and caught 118 passes for 1,648 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Before the injury, Woods was anticipated to play a more significant part for the Browns this season. In his first season in 2022, he participated in ten games and finished with five receptions for 45 yards.
Regarding the suspension, neither Woods nor the team have released a statement. But he recently talked about his difficult year in a message on X, which was formerly Twitter.
On November 22, Woods wrote, “This year has probably been the hardest of my life, but I can’t be broken.” “It changed my habits and thoughts for the better, brought me closer to God, and increased my level of perseverance through it all, which makes this year special for me.”
Browns’ Wide Receiver Depth Is Deficient
For the Browns, who have struggled to get anything out of their depth at wide receiver, Woods could have been helpful this season.In terms of receptions (47) and yards (765), Amari Cooper leads the Browns. In addition, he is the only receiver on the team with a catch average of more than ten yards.
On the depth chart, it’s not looking very good behind Cooper. Elijah Moore, a rookie, has made decent gains with 43 catches for 418 yards. He has only scored one touchdown, though, and hasn’t produced any spectacular passing plays.
Currently, the next most active wide receiver on the roster is rookie Cedric Tillman. With seven receptions, he has 65 yards. Most of that occurred during the Browns’ most recent game over the Denver Broncos. He caught four passes for fifty-five yards.
Despite having a rib ailment right now, Cooper is anticipated to play on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
Cooper stated on Thursday, November 30, “It doesn’t matter how talented you are, if you’re not available, then it’s like you’re not talented.” “Merely being able to support my group when needed. When deciding whether to try to push through an injury or not, there’s one question I always ask myself.
Would I play in the Super Bowl or the championship, I ask? And I play if the response is affirmative.
The Browns Have Fought With QB Injuries
The Browns’ passing attack, which averages just 181.2 yards per game, is ranked No. 27 in the NFL. However, the inconsistency at the quarterback position is primarily to blame for that. This season, Watson only appeared in six games due to shoulder issues.
During a four-game period earlier in the season, he missed all but one quarter of the action. Watson made a comeback, but the rest of the season was lost due to a broken shoulder bone sustained on November 12 against the Baltimore Ravens.
This season, both rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson and PJ Walker have started games for the Browns; but, Joe Flacco will start for them on Sunday against the Rams. The 38-year-old Flacco, who most recently started for the New York Jets, is anticipated to provide much-needed veteran leadership at the position.
