The Browns dealt with several losses at the linebacker spot in 2022, including a season-ending foot injury suffered by Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The former second-rounder recently provided further details on the ailment and his recovery. 
Owusu-Koramoah revealed that his foot sprain, suffered in December, was a Lisfranc injury. That put an end to his second campaign in the NFL, and began a lengthy road to recovery. Surgery was on the table, but the 23-year-old (who is an advocate of natural healing) elected to avoid the procedure.
“Surgery was obviously presented as an option,” Owusu-Koramoah said, via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. “I wanted to more so naturally, kind of heal my foot. I just thought, personally, it was a personal decision. It wasn’t like I saw anything better on this side or not better on that side. It was more so just a personal preference.”
The Notre Dame alum was back on the field in time for minicamp last month, and he added upon arrival at training camp that his foot “feels good.” That will be a welcomed development for team and player, after Owusu-Koramoah failed to take the statistical step forward many expected in 2022. He totaled 70 tackles, four pass deflections and a pair of forced fumbles, but struggled in coverage and surrendered five touchdowns as the nearest defender. His PFF grade dropped to 65.5, a notable decline from the 76.5 he earned as a rookie.
A return to full health would allow him to resume his full-time starting duties, as the Browns look to avoid the injury troubles which decimated the second level of their defense last year. Owusu-Koramoah, Anthony Walker Jr., Jacob Phillips and Sione Takitaki all saw time on injured reserve in 2022. Each member of that quartet is still in place, though, so Cleveland will have the ability to run it back at the position this year. Owusu-Koramoah will have a central role in the unit’s success, and a full recovery from the serious injury which ended his season could pave the way for a strong third year performance.