CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 21: Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger 49 takes the field prior to the National Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 21 Bills at Browns EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251221114
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 21: Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger 49 takes the field prior to the National Football League game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on December 21, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 21 Bills at Browns EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251221114
Jan 4, 2026, 12:30 PM CUT
Injury Curtains Down Breakout Rookie Seasons for Carson Schwesinger and Harold Fannin Jr
In the final matchup of the 2025 season, the Cleveland Browns are set to face the Cincinnati Bengals. In their second outing against Joe Burrow’s team, the Browns will play without three key players.
In an X post by The Dawgs, A Cleveland Browns Podcast, it was shared that rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger, tight end David Njoku, and rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. will sit out this matchup.
This news comes after defensive end Myles Garrett was cleared from the injury report.
Garrett only has this matchup to match or surpass the NFL record for most sacks by a player in a season. With 22 achieved, the 29-year-old needs another half to share the record with Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.
While many believed Garrett would surpass it, he is bound to feel the absence of these players on the field, making the task more difficult than it already is.
Which Loss Will Have the Biggest Impact?
Carson Schwesinger is the 22-year-old who is viewed as a solid contestant for the Defensive Rookie of the Year. He has recorded 156 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions this season. Schwesinger is placed on injured reserve because of his ankle injury. Against the Bengals, he had made eight tackles.
Harold Fannin Jr. has scored six touchdowns for 731 yards and has been ruled out due to a groin injury. He had covered nine yards, 63 receiving yards, and seven receptions in Week 1.
David Njoku, their tight end, has been ruled out due to an issue with his knees. Mjoku has made four touchdowns for 293 yards. In his last game against the Bengals, he made three receptions for 12.3 yards and 37 receiving yards.
In week 1, the Browns lost to the Bengals 17-18. When Joe Flacco was still their quarterback, he threw the highest pass of 290. Dylan Sampson rushed for 29 yards, with Jerry Jeudy recording the highest receiving yards with 66 yards.
The Browns are currently 4-12, and marked linebacker Winston Reid on the Injured Reserve for his back problems, and cornerback Myles Harden is on questionable due to his shoulder.
Written by
Akanksha Biradar
Edited by
Oajaswini Prabhu