Disturbing Injury Report on Browns CB Emerges From Training Camp

Disturbing Injury Report on Browns CB Emerges From Training Camp originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The mood at the Cleveland Browns’ offseason practice complex shifted dramatically on Tuesday afternoon when cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. planted his left foot at the end of a 7-on-7 drill, collapsed to the turf and was unable to bear weight as teammates and trainers rushed to his side.

With a towel draped over his head, Emerson was visibly distraught as he was loaded onto a medical cart and driven off the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus field, leaving Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and the rest of the organization bracing for potentially grave news.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo noted afterwards that the injury appeared very serious, reporting that Haslam received an update from athletic trainers that "he didn't seem to like."

#Browns Martin Emerson Jr being carted off with a very painful left leg injury in 7/7 drill. He knew right away it was bad. pic.twitter.com/ueYy1z5Sse

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) July 29, 2025

From Mississippi State to Browns Starter

Rated a three-star recruit out of Pensacola, Florida, Emerson committed to Mississippi State in 2019, starting five games as a freshman in 2019 and emerging as one of the nation’s top coverage backs by 2021.

In 2020, he ranked 11th in forced incompletions (11) among all Power Five cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps and finished his college career with 154 tackles, six tackles for loss, one interception, and 16 pass breakups across 28 starts in 36 games.

The Browns selected Emerson in the third round (68th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft and he quickly worked his way into the lineup.

As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 games, starting six, recorded 63 tackles, 15 pass deflections and one sack, earning a 72.5 grade from PFF.

In 2023, Emerson started 12 of 16 games, notching 59 tackles, 14 pass deflections and four interceptions on his way to a 65.3 PFF grade.

Last season, he took on a full-time role, starting 15 of 17 contests and registering a career-high 80 tackles, one forced fumble and five pass defenses, though his overall PFF grade dipped to 47.92.

Over 50 career games with Cleveland, Emerson has amassed 202 total tackles, 34 pass breakups, four interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, marking him as one of the most exciting young cornerbacks in the NFL.

What Emerson's Injury Means for Cleveland’s Secondary

Emerson’s potential absence represents a major blow to the Browns’ defensive backfield.

Entering this offseason, Cleveland’s brass had penciled him in as the No. 2 outside cornerback opposite four-time Pro Bowler Denzel Ward.

The unit's depth chart behind them already revolved around nickel specialist Greg Newsome II, with developmental prospects like Chigozie Anusiem, Tony Brown II and Cameron Mitchell fighting for roles.

Without Emerson, the Browns may need to lean heavily on Newsome sliding outside in base defense, inserting Newsome’s understudy in the slot, or exploring free agency for veteran reinforcements.

Currently, veterans James Bradberry, Kendall Fuller, Stephon Gilmore and Rasul Douglas are among the top available free agents who could fill in for Emerson.

The Browns have not yet disclosed the specific nature of Emerson's injury, but given its non-contact nature and his immediate reaction, league sources fear the worst.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.