Browns lose Pro Bowl returner for season to Achilles injury

Jakeem Grant Sr.’s first season with the Cleveland Browns changed in an instant. Now, it’s over.

The speedy wide receiver and return specialist went down with what appeared to be a left Achilles injury on Tuesday, a tough personal blow and another setback for Cleveland’s return game which he was going to help turn around.

On Wednesday, follow-up tests confirmed that the 29-year-old had torn his Achilles, according to ESPN. He was placed on injured reserve and will miss the entire 2022 season.

“I really feel awful for Jakeem,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday before the results of the follow-up tests were known. “We’ve witnessed how hard the young man has worked since he got to our team. We all realize injuries are a part of our game, but that doesn’t make it any easier to accept especially for someone that works as hard and carries himself like Jakeem.”

Grant was carted off the field after getting hurt while battling cornerback A.J. Green during a one-on-one passing drill. Grant didn’t land awkwardly, but it quickly became obvious he was badly hurt.

Grant pounded his hand into the grass and writhed in pain on the ground as two trainers came to assist him. He was then placed on a cart and driven into the team’s facility as practice continued.

Grant made the Pro Bowl last season with the Chicago Bears. The 5-foot-6 speedster averaged 13.9 yards on punt returns and 23.4 yards returning kickoffs. He played the previous five seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

The Browns signed him to a three-year contract worth up to $13.8 million in March.

Cleveland’s return game didn’t produce much last season and Grant was viewed as a major upgrade to the unit. He going to return punts and kickoffs.

The next options for returners are running back D’Ernest Johnson and wide receivers Anthony Schwartz, Demetric Felton and Donovan Peoples-Jones.

On Sunday, Grant said he wanted to be known as more than an elite returner.

“Absolutely. I always preach that I’m a receiver first before a returner,” he said. “I’m going to continue to preach that message. I’m going to continue to work on that until I get that opportunity to have that breakout season.”

Grant’s injury is the latest in what has been a tough camp for the Browns’ wide receivers.

Rookie David Bell (foot), Schwartz (knee) and Javon Wims (illness) all missed a week of practice. Rookie Michael Woods II (hamstring) remains out while Isaiah Weston (knee) was placed on injured reserve.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.