Cleveland Browns starter may now have the chance to cash in bigger than expected next offseason due to an opportunity he didn’t ask for

The Cleveland Browns were hit hard by the injury bug during their sixth practice of training camp.

Fourth-year cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. went down with a non-contact leg injury and was carted off the field. The early fear was that the injury was serious—and unfortunately, that has been confirmed.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday morning that Emerson will miss the entire 2025 season with a torn Achilles. It’s a tough blow for a Browns defense looking to bounce back this year.

Big opportunity for Greg Newsome II

Fortunately for Cleveland, the team has solid depth at cornerback, particularly at the top. That depth should allow Greg Newsome II to shift from the slot back to the outside, where he began his career. The Browns will then need to determine who will take over the nickel role. Nik Needham, Myles Harden, and Cameron Mitchell are all candidates to fill in for Newsome in the slot.

Newsome began his NFL career as an outside corner and performed well as a rookie despite missing a few games. When the Browns drafted Emerson, Newsome moved primarily to the slot to better fit the defensive scheme. In 2022, he expressed frustration with playing nickel and briefly questioned his long-term future in Cleveland. However, his performance improved in 2023 under Jim Schwartz’s system.

Like Emerson, Newsome is entering a contract year—specifically the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. Outside cornerbacks tend to command higher salaries than nickel corners, and this season presents a prime opportunity for Newsome to reestablish himself as a true boundary corner.

Injuries are a part of the game, and they’ve been especially unkind to the Browns over the past few seasons. Emerson’s injury is an unfortunate setback, but it opens the door for Newsome to take on a larger role—and possibly secure a more lucrative future.