Browns LB Owusu-Koramoah suffers 'scary' neck injury, will spend night in hospital as precaution

CLEVELAND (AP) — For the second week in a row, the Cleveland Browns gathered on the field and encircled a seriously injured teammate.

Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah had to be immobilized and carted off the field Sunday after injuring his neck while making a tackle in the third quarter of Cleveland's 29-24 victory against the Baltimore Ravens.

Owusu-Koramoah got hurt at the end of a play when he took the brunt of a blow as he tried to tackle Ravens running back Derrick Henry.

A team spokesman said Owusu-Koramoah, in his fourth season out of Notre Dame, had movement in his arms and legs when he was taken to University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. He will be kept overnight as a precaution, the team said.

Owusu-Koramoah, who was wearing a Guardian Cap over his helmet, raised a fist as he was being driven to the tunnel in Huntington Bank Field, a moment that brought some relief to fans of the Browns.

The sight of Owusu-Koramoah, the team's leading tackler, having his face mask removed and being strapped to a backboard was upsetting to the Browns.

“That's one of my best friends on the team,” defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo said. “To see him down, hurt me. All I can do is pray and play for him.”

“Very scary anytime that happens,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said.

A week ago, the Browns lost quarterback Deshaun Watson for the season when he ruptured his right Achilles tendon on a running play.

Browns star end Myles Garrett said he spoke briefly with Owusu-Koramoah before he was taken away.

“I saw the hit as it happened,” Garrett said. “It was a violent collision and two strong, powerful men. I think JOK just went low, caught him on the side of the head a little bit and kind of whipped his head back. It's part of the game.”

Browns cornerback Denzel Ward was placed in concussion protocol following the game. This is the sixth documented concussion while in the NFL for Ward, a three-time Pro Bowler and first-round draft pick from Ohio State.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) cuts past Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during the first half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) is checked on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) is taken off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) is taken off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Cleveland, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/David Richard)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Jerami Grant scored 28 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 125-103 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday for their first win of the season.

Anfernee Simons pitched in 27 points and six assists as the Blazers bounced back from a 105-103 loss to the Pelicans on Friday. Deandre Ayton finished with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds.

CJ McCollum had 27 points to lead the Pelicans in the second of a two-game set against his former team.

After New Orleans opened the game with an 8-0 run, Portland stormed back and took a 59-47 lead into halftime. The Blazers extended the lead to as many as 24 in the second half.

Portland bullied the Pelicans on the glass, posting a 51-39 rebounding advantage and a 22-15 advantage in offensive rebounds.

Pelicans: Pelicans coach Willie Green said Williamson would once again have a slight minutes restriction after playing 29 minutes on Friday. “It will be close to about the same,” Green said. Williamson struggled from the field on Sunday, going 3 for 12.

Blazers: Deni Avdija went 5 for 21, including 1 for 8 from 3, in Portland's back-to-back games against New Orleans. “I got to run stuff for him and get some shots for him,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “But more than anything, we’re all just trying to get to know Deni and vice versa.” Avdija finished with 11 points.

Portland rookie Donovan Clingan blocked Williamson twice in the first half, part of the reason for Williamson's 2-for-9 shooting in the opening two quarters.

New Orleans was 1 for 13 (7.7%) from the 3-point line in the first half, while Portland was 8 for 22 (36.4%).

The Pelicans visit Golden State on Tuesday, while Portland is at Sacramento on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum, right, drives to the hoop against Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, left, dribbles against Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado, left, defends against Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum, left, dribbles against Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, left, dives for the ball against New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)