CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
While the Cleveland Browns enjoyed a successful joint practice with the New York Giants on Thursday, their linebackers corps took a hit with ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting that linebacker Jacob Phillips is likely to miss the season after suffering a torn biceps injury.
Phillips had left Thursday joint practice in Berea with what the Browns described as an elbow injury. Fellow Cleveland linebacker Sione Takitaki also left Thursday's practice what the team called a hamstring injury, although the severity of the third-year linebacker's injury remains unclear.
Selected out of LSU in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Phillips appeared in nine games, including three starts, for the Browns as a rookie, tallying 25 tackles, one of which came for a loss, and one pass defense. Entering his second season in Cleveland, the 22-year-old had been backing up Anthony Walker Jr. at the Mike linebacker position, with his versatility also allowing him to be a contributor on the outside at Will linebacker.
With Phillips now likely out for the season, Cleveland could find itself relying more heavily on third-year linebacker Mack Wilson, who to this point, has enjoyed a strong training camp. Phillips' injury could also open the door to more playing time for 2021 second-round pick Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who was a standout performer in the Browns' preseason-opening win vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars last week.
On Sunday, Cleveland will host the second preseason game on its schedule when the Browns face the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium.