The Cleveland Browns’ defense had a goal for 2025: Get back that #1 ranking they enjoyed in 2023.

Safety Rodney McLeod retired. So did MLB Jordan Hicks. LB Devin Bush was arrested and is facing a six-game suspension. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was lost for the year, and DT Michael Hall, Jr. has begun training camp on the PUP list.

At least the defensive backfield was still intact with quality players and a ton of depth.

Then, MJ Emerson went down with an Achilles injury during the July 29 practice during a 7-on-7 drill while he was covering WR Diontae Johnson. It was a scary sight seeing him in obvious agony, lying on the turf. He was then carted off the field. It was later determined to be a torn tendon instead of a lesser partial tear. Surgery was required, and Emerson ended up on season

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