Cleveland Browns rookie Mike Hall Jr. is set to miss at least the next four games after being placed on injured reserve ahead of the team’s Week 11 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. The Ohio State product appeared on the Browns’ injury report this week with a knee issue, which head coach Kevin Stefanski later revealed occurred during a practice drill.
While Stefanski admitted the team anticipated Hall would miss some time, his IR designation ensures he’ll be sidelined for at least a month. Stefanski also mentioned it’s unclear whether surgery will be necessary.
Hall’s season has been anything but smooth. In August, he was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list following an arrest related to a domestic dispute. After resolving the matter in civil court, Hall remained on the list for the first four weeks of the season before serving a five-game suspension, which included time served. He returned to make his NFL debut in Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Now, Hall faces another setback, and if his knee injury proves severe, his season could be in jeopardy. In his four games, Hall has recorded five combined tackles, including one tackle for loss. Earlier this week, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz mentioned Hall as a potential rotational option to address the gap left by the trade of Za’Darius Smith. To compensate, the Browns have signed defensive linemen Sam Kamara and Elerson Smith from the practice squad.
In related news, tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. has also been ruled out for the Saints game due to a knee injury flare-up. Wills has already missed four games this season because of the same issue. Additionally, wide receiver Kadarius Toney has been elevated from the practice squad for the first time this season. Toney, who joined the Browns in Week 1, has yet to appear in a game.
