A career season for DT Maliek Collins has been unexpectedly cut short.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Dec. 1 that Collins would miss the remainder of the 2025 season with the quad injury that will require surgery. Collins sustained the injury in the third quarter of Week 13 against the 49ers and was carted off the field with the injury, then ruled out for the remainder of the game.
"Very disappointed for Maliek, he's obviously been playing such good football, and he provides great leadership for this team," Stefanski said. "He's made a big impact on this football team on the field and off the field. I think our young room, we have some older guys in there, but we have a lot a bunch of young guys in there. I think they've learned a lot from the professional that Maliek is on a day in and day out basis, and I think you have to carry that with you throughout."
His absence for the remainder of the season is a tough loss for the Browns' defense that has been a dominant force up front through 12 games. Not only did he provide another veteran presence on the defensive line, but also his ability to pass rush from the interior created opportunities for himself and for teammates across the defensive line to pressure and bring down opposing quarterbacks. He was disruptive, defeating blocks in one-on-one situations and was affective in their run defense.
Collins recorded a career-high 6.5 sacks, as well as a game-high 2.5 sacks in Week 12 against the Raiders. He also had 12 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, 24 tackles and one fumble recovery this season.
Not only did Collins capitalize on his own success, but his impact on the defensive line created opportunities on the edge for players like DE Myles Garrett – who has 19 total sacks this season and 30 quarterback hits. Earlier in the season, Garrett called Collins "one of the most unique rushers I've had the privilege to be around with the combination of finesse and power.
Collins' stats quietly illustrated how his presence on the defensive line was undeniably effective. Collins entered Week 13 leading defensive tackles in the league in sacks and was on his way to a potential Pro-Bowl nod for his weekly contributions to the Browns' dominant defensive front.
"He's been amazing. He's done a great job," Garrett said following the Browns' 26-8 loss to the 49ers. "I mean as far as his trajectory, he was going to have a double-digit sack season which he had yet to do. And it sucks seeing him go down, and just hurt seeing that look on his face, just disappointed, knowing that he had so much left for the year and giving more to this team. So, we're behind him 100 percent and we're going to support him however we can."
When Collins signed with the Browns during the early days of free agency in March 2025, he knew he was joining a defensive scheme that benefited his skillset. He wanted to continue playing in an attack-style defense – the only defensive style he had played in during his NFL career – as well as have the chance to reunite with defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire.
He quickly stepped into his leadership role, as before training camp began, Collins worked out with rookie DT Mason Graham to help him acclimate to the NFL. Graham said he has continued to rely on Collins throughout the 2025 season, asking questions and working with him on his style of play.
Over the course of the season, Stefanski said he admired Collins' approach to his role through how he works on his craft early on the practice field, takes notes in the meeting rooms and provides a veteran leader to younger players on the defensive line. With his dedication to his game, leadership qualities and ability to make plays in both the run and the pass, Collins also served as a game captain in Week 4 against the Lions.
"(DT) Maliek (Collins) is one of our leaders," DT Shelby Harris said. "He's one of our favorite guys, and it's always tough to lose somebody like that who's having a career year and someone who is truly happy for everyone else's success. That hurt the whole defensive line right there. That is one of our guys and you never want to see somebody go down like that."
With Collins out for the remaining five games of the season, the Browns will rely on two younger players in Graham and DT Mike Hall Jr., as well as a veteran in Harris to fill the snaps Collins took each week. Graham had played alongside Collins in the interior, starting all 12 games this season, while Harris has appeared in each game.
Graham has 31 tackles, including five tackles for loss and four passes defensed in his rookie season. Harris has recorded 21 tackles, six tackles for loss and three quarterback hits. He recorded four tackles and a tackle for loss against the 49ers, three of which came after Collins exited the game.
Hall provides depth to the interior after returning in Week 8 from a knee injury that caused him to miss the first seven games of the season. In five games, Hall has six tackles, two tackles for loss, four quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks. His best game came against the Raiders in Week 12 with four tackles and two quarterback hits.
In the final stretch of the season, the Browns will find that combination to fill the interior spot on the defense and help sustain that interior pass rush presence.
"When you lose a guy like Maliek, you don't replace him. Everybody's just got to step up. It's multiple guys that have to step up," Stefanski said.
