Defense dealt another blow, as Martin Emerson Jr. out for season with torn Achilles, will have surgery

BEREA — The imaging confirmed the fears.Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr.'s left Achilles tendon tore Tuesday in practice, he'll have surgery and miss the season, coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday morning. Emerson underwent tests Tuesday night.The recovery from a torn Achilles is typically eight to 12 months, which would have Emerson ready for the 2026 season.Browns ownership talks patience and panic, how 3-14 'won't cut it' and the need to see rookie QBs in gamesHe was immediately distraught when he went down without contact during a seven-on-seven drill. He yelled a couple of profanities, threw off his helmet, then covered his head with a towel as he was driven off the field in a cart.Hours earlier Emerson, 24, had talked about his determination to rebound from a disappointing 2024 season. It's the final season of his rookie contract, so the injury will likely hurt him financially."It is hard. Any which way," Stefanski said. "These guys put so much into this game physically, mentally, emotionally and an injury like that, I don't want to see any of our players ever in that position. It's just tough to see. Having said that, I know what this kid's made of. Yesterday was a lot and he's sore today and it's going to be tough, but I know what he's made of."He will bounce back. I know he's got our support, his teammates' support."Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on disappointment of Martin Emerson Jr.'s torn Achilles. pic.twitter.com/jpte8RvXrQ— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) July 30, 2025https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsEmerson was a third-round pick (No. 68) in 2022, played well in his first two seasons and has totaled four interceptions, 34 passes defensed, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a sack and 202 tackles, including five for loss, in 50 games and 33 starts.Greg Newsome II had been getting most of the repetitions as the No. 2 cornerback opposite Pro Bowler Denzel Ward during the early stages of camp, then would slide into the slot with Emerson taking over on the outside in the nickel package. Newsome will likely stay outside in Emerson's absence, with Cameron Mitchell the assumptive first choice at nickelback."Cam's always done a nice job," Stefanski said. "He is productive when he is out there. I think he's ball aware, very intelligent player."Deion Sanders says Shedeur told him not to visit Browns campThe other corners on the roster are Myles Harden, Chigozie Anusiem, Tony Brown II, LaMareon James, Dom Jones, Anthony Kendall and Nik Needham, who's been working at safety. Harden missed Tuesday and will miss Wednesday for a personal reason.Emerson is the third starter from last year the Browns won't have on defense this season. Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was ruled out following a serious neck injury in October, and linebacker Jordan Hicks surprised the team by retiring last week.Emerson struggled last year — no interceptions, the forced fumble and fumble recovery and five passes defensed in 17 games and 15 starts — and spoke Tuesday morning about playing through injuries and being determined to bounce back this season.Browns ownership 'can't be more confident' new stadium will happen, hopes to break ground in February"And as the year went along, my body was just kind of on a downward spiral," he said. "Just had to do some soul searching, man. Pray, stay close to God and just work my tail off. Honestly, that's the only thing that could kind of get me out of that slump, you know, was the work. Put in the work and just come back and be ready."The work will be even more difficult in the coming months.The post Defense dealt another blow, as Martin Emerson Jr. out for season with torn Achilles, will have surgery first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.