Olivier

Vernon

It’s a huge loss for a defense that was already soft against the pass. Still an every-down player at age 30, Vernon’s nine sacks were second only to Myles Garrett’s 12 on the Browns. What’s bad for the Browns is catastrophic for Vernon, as he will become a free agent at season’s end. Having trouble staying healthy over the past four years, Vernon will probably now have to settle for one-year, incentive-laden offers on the open market. Life isn’t fair for NFL players over 30, but it’s really not fair for injured players over 30.

Vernon has missed the past two games for Cleveland, being replaced by third-string DE Porter Gustin in the interim. With Adrian Clayborn (hip) inactive, Vernon’s return would be welcomed against an injury-riddled Cowboys o-line that may be without LT Tyron Smith (neck) in Week 4.

In August, Higgins shaped up as the team’s No. 3 wideout. Not so much. Losing Vernon and Williams is a blow to the Cleveland defense that could be mitigated by Washington’s ineffective offense.

It’s the second straight game Vernon will be forced to miss. Adrian Clayborn (hip), Vernon’s direct backup, is also questionable for Sunday after totaling one sack and a quarterback hit on 18 snaps against Cincinnati. Either Porter Gustin or Joe Jackson will get the nod if both Vernon and Clayborn are ruled out.

Vernon was heavily rumored to be moving on prior to this rework, which fully guarantees the 29-year-old $11 million this year — including a $4 million signing bonus and $6.75 million in base salary — plus up to $2 million in incentives and a no-tag clause before hitting the open market next March. This transaction also likely rules Cleveland out of the bidding war for free agent Jadeveon Clowney’s services.

Vernon is owed a non-guaranteed $15.5 million in the final year of his deal. After an injury-shortened 2019, Vernon would likely need a pay cut to return with the Browns — something he seems unlikely to accept. Cleveland may look to free agency — they’ve been linked to Everson Griffen — to replace Vernon as Myles Garrett’s bookend.

The Browns have struggled to slow down anybody with Vernon sidelined and Myles Garrett suspended. Each of the Dolphins (92 rush yards), Steelers (124), Bengals (179), Cardinals (226) and Ravens (243) have had their way with the Browns’ mediocre front seven over the past five weeks.

A team could potentially front load a contract offer to Vernon that the cap-strapped Dolphins would be unable to match. It would be like GroundHog Day for Miami, which lost Charles Clay in similar fashion last offseason. Per Robinson, the Giants, Raiders, Jaguars, Browns, and Titans will be among those in pursuit of Vernon. Vernon, 25, is coming off a 7.5-sack campaign.

DT Sheldon Richardson (back) is also questionable. It’s a bad time to be banged up on the line of scrimmage. One of the best rushing offenses the league has ever seen are again set up to smash in Week 16 against a Browns defense that has allowed 92, 124, 179 and most recently 226 rushing yards since losing stud DE Myles Garrett (suspension) for the season.

Vernon’s absence is great news for Kyler Murray and the entire Cardinals offense. So far the Browns have only faced the Steelers, Bengals and Dolphins since losing Myles Garrett for the season. A trip to the west coast is further problematic for their chances at slowing down Murray and company.