Browns captain Christian Kirksey is heading to the injured reserve. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports (via Twitter) that the starting linebacker will be placed on the IR with a chest injury. The team has promoted linebacker Willie Harvey Jr. in a corresponding move.
We learned earlier today that Kirksey was seeking opinions on his chest injury. Cabot writes that the 27-year-old was hurt during Monday night’s win over the Jets. The ailment will keep Kirksey sidelined for at least eight games, although Cabot writes that if the torn pectoral muscle requires surgery, he could be done for the season.
The 2014 third-round has spent his entire career with the Browns, and he averaged 143 tackles per season between 2016 and 2017 (leading to a four-year, $38MM extension). Kirksey was limited to only seven games in 2018 as he dealt with a hamstring injury. In two games this season, he’s compiled 11 total tackles.
Fifth-round rookie Mack Wilson will likely slide into the starting lineup in place of Kirksey. The team could also turn to backups Malik Jefferson, Sione Takitaki, or Harvey Jr..
Hope Kirksey gets healthy soon. Dude is a stud in the middle.