Cleveland Browns cornerback E.J. Gaines is expected to be out three weeks due to a right knee sprain, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Gaines, 26, suffered the injury in practice on Sunday during while defending a pass and had to be carted off the field.
“It's football. I hate to lose him, but at the same time, we know that those things do happen,” head coach Hue Jackson said, per ESPN.
Gaines signed a one-year, $4 million with the Browns in March as a free agent after playing last season with the Buffalo Bills. Pro Football Focus had him ranked as the 18th-best cornerback in the league last season as he had 59 tackles with one interception and three forced fumbles in 11 starts.
The Rams selected Gaines in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. Over three seasons, he has played in 37 career games (36 starts) and has recorded three interceptions, 31 passes defended, four forced fumbles and 185 tackles. He missed the entire 2015 season because of a foot injury.
The Browns should consider the fact that Gaines avoided a more serious injury as good news. But still, it’s a major blow that Gaines might not play any part in the Browns’ season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 9 due to the injury.
T.J. Carrie and Terrance Mitchell, who arrived in free agency this offseason along with Gaines, are the likely candidates to fill in for him alongside rookie Denzel Ward at cornerback for the Browns. Denzel Rice and Mike Jordan also figure to get some snaps in Gaines' absence.
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