It didn’t take long for tests to reveal the worst-case scenario, which the Browns already feared.
Browns coach Pat Shurmur confirmed that linebacker Chris Gocong suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, and will be out for the season. He will have surgery as soon as Monday.
“It’s unfortunate,” Shurmur said, via Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com. “It’s the unintended consequence of playing this game. As safe as you try to be, sometimes it happens. It drives the coach nuts, for sure. I worry about that when we come out here.
“The important thing is when that happens, you quickly get your eye right back on the ball and you get guys in there that can compete. It’s also a lesson to guys that play behind a guy, you’re a play away.”
The Browns are already going to be without fellow outside linebacker Scott Fujita for the first three games, because of his bounty suspension.
Now, the competition between Kaluka Maiava and fourth-round rookie James-Michael Johnson for a short-term temp job will be for a full-time job, with the other filling in for Fujita.