Browns’ Landry on IR, receiver will miss at least three games
CLEVELAND — For the first time in his NFL career, Browns wide receiver Jarvis
Landry will miss a game because of an injury.
And not just one.
Landry was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a
sprained knee ligament, meaning he must sit out a minimum of three games
before he can be activated. At this point,
it’s not clear when the five-time Pro Bowler will be back.
A model of consistency and durability as a pro, Landry got hurt after catching a
short pass and picking up 9 yards on the second play from scrimmage in Sunday’s 31-21 win over the Houston Texans.
On Monday, coach Kevin Stefanski said
Landry was “week to week” and that it was
still not clear whether Landry would go on IR.
The 28-year-old Landry will now be
sidelined for games against Chicago, Minnesota and the Los Angeles Chargers before he can return, and it’s possible he could
be out longer depending on the severity of
his sprained medial collateral ligament.
Landry had never missed a game for any reason in eight years
before he was forced to sit one in 2020 because of COVID-19 contact tracing protocols.
Because of this injury, Landry’s streak of
catching at least two passes ended at 111
straight games — the fourth-longest streak
in history. Landry has
six receptions for 80 yards and two rushes for 13 yards and a touchdown in 2021.
In four seasons with Cleveland, Landry has
242 catches for 3,070 yards and 13 TDS. Landry caught at least
84 passes — with a career-high of 112 in 2017 in his first four
seasons with Miami, which drafted him in
the second round in 2014.
Landry is one of Cleveland’s team leaders, and his absence will be felt on and off the field.
“You never want to lose a player in the caliber of Jarvis, but even more-so the leadership he brings,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said Sunday. “When things are not going well, the stuff
that he can say to the guys and is just another voice who we have to lean on.”
While Landry won’t be available, the Browns could get back
star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. this week when they host the Chicago Bears. Beckham hasn’t played
since injuring his knee on Oct. 25 and undergoing season-ending surgery.
Beckham has been inactive for Cleveland’s first two games,
but signs are pointing to him making his season debut this week.
Stefanski said no decision had been made about Beckham’s availability, and his return would not be related to Landry’s status.
Whether Beckham can play or not, the
Browns will have to rely on young receivers Donovan Peoplesjones and rookie Anthony Schwartz. Rashard Higgins.