Cleveland Browns’ team captain Anthony Walker Jr. is ruled OUT of the season with injury

Cleveland Browns starting linebacker and team captain Anthony Walker Jr. will miss the rest of the season after tearing a quadriceps tendon in Thursday night’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The loss of Walker is a big blow on and off the field for the Browns. He is one of their most popular and energetic leaders and the signaller of the defense.

“He’s a huge, huge, huge part of our football team with what he brings to us,” said coach Kevin Stefanski before knowing the results of an MRI taken on Friday.

Walker Jr. was drained during Cleveland Browns win over Pittsburgh Steelers

Walker was injured while defending a fencing pass. His legs buckled uncomfortably under him as he was blocked by Steelers lineman Chukwuma Okorafor, who then jumped onto Walker as he lay face down.

With some of his teammates kneeling nearby, Walker’s leg was immobilized and he was driven off the field. He left the FirstEnergy Stadium on crutches.

Walker re-signed as a free agent for a second season with Cleveland in March.

“He’s a huge, huge, huge part of our team with what he brings to us,” said coach Kevin Stefanski

Jacob Phillips replaced Walker against the Steelers and will likely get the starting roll and playcaller. Phillips picked up a sack and broke a pass in the fourth quarter, leaving the Browns (2-1) holding on to a 29-17 win.

“I was proud of Jacob because you wish you could use twelve men for the defense,” Stefanski said. “We listed him as a starter with Anthony early on because I think those guys are both capable of starting.

“Now that Anthony is probably out, Jacob is going in, and we have a lot of confidence in him. He plays like he played last night, I think he can really influence the game.”

Stefanski had no additional information regarding injuries to linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. and defensive tackle Taven Bryan.

Wills was the only one of the three to return after going out.