Maliek

Collins

Collins suffered a season-ending quad injury in Week 13 and was unable to participate in organized team activities and mandatory minicamp this year. Despite missing so much of the season, Collins ranked fourth on the team in quarterback pressures (36) and second in NFL sacks (6.5). The Browns need the 31-year-old player to remain productive this year. Hopefully, he returns soon.

Collins was carted off in Week 13 and spent the rest of the season on injured reserve. He did not participate in OTAs or minicamp. The 31-year-old veteran had 6.5 sacks last year and will be asked to do more in the absence of Myles Garrett this season.

Collins was carted from the field in the third quarter of the Browns’ Week 13 loss to the 49ers and will now miss the remainder of the season. Collins is expected to undergo surgery in the coming days. The 10-year vet has been playing at a high level in his first year with the Browns, notching a career-high 6.5 sacks in the 12 games he’s appeared in while also totaling 25 tackles, seven TFLs, and 13 QB hits. Collins joined the Browns on a two-year, $20 million contract this offseason and should be ready in time for the start of training camp next season.

Collins suffered an oblique injury on Friday, but the 30-year-old defensive tackle is good to go. His 21 quarterback pressures and five sacks both rank second on the team. The Browns declared WR Jamari Thrash, OG Zak Zinter, OT Cornelius Lucas, RB Raheim Sanders, DT Sam Kamara, LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and DE Alex Wright inactive for Week 11 against the Ravens.

Collins “felt something” during practice on Friday per Kevin Stefanski and left early. Collins has been one of the better players on the Browns defense this year, notching a 90.4 PFF pass rush grade. His absence would be felt if he didn’t suit up on Sunday.

Collins was a cap casualty for the 49ers this offseason but didn’t take long to land on his feet. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, his new deal includes $13 million guaranteed. Collins logged five sacks in Houston in 2023 and was then traded to the 49ers for another five-sack season. He started all 17 games and added two fumble recoveries to his stat sheet. Collins will take the place of Dalvin Tomlinson, who was released by Cleveland earlier this week.

Collins was acquired from the Texans last offseason in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick. The veteran defensive tackle was entering the final year of his contract, but will now be a free agent after a year in which he totaled 33 tackles, five sacks, and five TFLs. His five sacks tied a previous career high while his 715 defensive snaps marked his most since 2019. Collins turns 30 next month and can still provide defenses an adequate body to fill rush lanes and get after the quarterback.

Houston’s revamping of the defensive line continues unabated just before the official kickoff of free agency. The Niners’ acquisition of Collins likely means Arik Armstead will be released this afternoon. Collins had 11 sacks over the past three seasons with the Texans. In 2023, he set a career high with 41 tackles.

Anderson missed practice with an ankle injury he has played through in Weeks 17 and 18. DT Maliek Collins (hip), EDGE Jonathan Greenard (ankle), EDGE Jerry Hughes (ankle), and DT Sheldon Rankins (shoulder) also did not practice on Tuesday. The Texans have had a banged-up defensive front for a couple weeks now, with Greenard being the only player that missed Week 18. Expect most of them to return to practice later in the week, with a good chance to play against the Browns on Saturday.

Anderson previously missed time due to the ankle injury and just came back to play Week 17. He was listed as a non-participant in Tuesday’s walkthrough but still has a chance to suit up in practice later this week to play a Week 18 Saturday matchup against the Colts. DT Maliek Collins (hip), EDGE Jonathan Greenard (ankle), and DT Sheldon Rankins (ankle) were all listed as non-participants as well, with injuries piling up on the Texans defensive line.