The Cleveland Browns are no strangers to dealing with injuries, and this week the franchise listed 19 players on their weekly injury report.

It’s a problem Cleveland has faced for more than a year, dating back to last season, when more than a dozen starters were sidelined for more than four weeks with injuries.

This is one of the reasons why the Browns have adopted their “next man up” mentality, taking that mantra and running with it.

Defensive end Myles Garrett believes his team’s backups can shine whenever they’re called into action, and the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year thinks one position in particular could shine Sunday against the Chargers.

With two linebackers — Jordan Hicks and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah — already ruled out and a third — Khaleke Hudson — listed as questionable, Garrett told analyst Camryn Justice that his team’s backups could have a strong game tomorrow against Los Angeles.

“We are no strangers to this; Guys have had a ‘next man up’ mentality for a while,” Garrett said, adding, “I’m looking forward to seeing those guys again, but I’m looking forward to seeing their replacements go out there and make their a name.”

Asked #Browns Myles Garrett how the defense responded to injuries this week, especially in the LBs room.

He said they’re no strangers to it – and while he’s looking forward to getting the boys back, he’s “looking forward to seeing their replacements make a name for themselves” pic.twitter.com/jhjOxwQFHF

— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) November 1, 2024

Both Hicks and Owusu-Koramoah can be rested next week, and players like Mohamoud Diabate and Devin Bush get opportunities that don’t come around very often for the bench.

Diabate and Bush have both had strong games for Cleveland this season when called up, and Garrett believes that duo — along with other players — can continue to see success on the football field on Sundays.

NEXT:
Josh Cribbs poses the question on every Browns fan’s mind