Cleveland Browns star pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith was carted off the field on Monday after suffering a knee injury during practice.
According to ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi, Smith was carted off of practice after injuring his left knee in practice. The three-time Pro Bowler was later diagnosed with a knee contusion, though the Cleveland Browns plan to reevaluate him on Tuesday.
Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland shared a clip of the play where Smith was injured, which game on a non-contact play. Additionally, Dan Labbe of Cleveland.com posted a video of Smith being carted off the field:
Not sure how exactly it happened but #Browns DE Za’Darius Smith appears to have been injured on this play in practice. It didn’t seem like there was contact but he was on the ground grabbing his left leg at the end of the play before trainers were called to the field with a cart. pic.twitter.com/N5xAlQBKpC
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) August 5, 2024
That’s Za’Darius Smith riding off in the passenger seat of the cart. #browns pic.twitter.com/ls7otDdRiO
— Dan Labbe (@dan_labbe) August 5, 2024
Ahead of free agency, the Cleveland Browns re-signed Smith to a two-year contract worth $23.5 million. The AFC North club acquired Smith in a 2023 blockbuster trade with the Minnesota Vikings, and he helped the Browns make a surprise return to the postseason with an 11-6 record.
Za’Darius Smith had some HIGH praise for Browns rookie Mike Hall Jr. 👀 pic.twitter.com/E9KMfa8S2V
— Browns Film Breakdown (@BrownsFilmBDN) August 4, 2024
Smith formed a dynamic pass-rushing tandem alongside superstar Myles Garrett, recording 5.5 sacks, three pass breakups and one forced fumble. In his one year with the Vikings, Smith tallied 10 sacks and five pass defenses en route to a third career Pro Bowl selection.
The 31-year-old spent his first four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens (2015 to 2018) before signing with the Green Bay Packers in 2019. Smith has 60 career sacks, 15 pass defenses and 10 forced fumbles.
The Browns will be battle-tested early, as they’ll host Dak Prescott’s Dallas Cowboys in their season opener on Sept. 8. The Cowboys are coming off a third straight 12-win season and feature one of the NFC’s deepest rosters, making this an intriguing Week 1 battle against Cleveland.
This game also marks the debut of retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady as an analyst for FOX Sports. The seven-time Super Bowl champion will be working on the network’s top team with sideline reporter Erin Andrews and play-by-play voice Kevin Burkhardt.
