Morgan Burnett suffered a ruptured Achilles in the Cleveland Browns' win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11. Luckily for Cleveland, Burnett is expected to make a full recovery after undergoing Achilles surgery per Adam Schefter.
Browns’ safety Morgan Burnett underwent surgery today on his ruptured Achilles with Dr. Robert Anderson, and is expected to make a full recovery.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 20, 2019
Of course, the Browns placed Burnett on injured reserve, effectively ending his 2019 season. Before the season began, Burnett signed with the Browns after spending 2018 with the Steelers.
This season, the veteran safety had been getting into a groove in Cleveland's defense with 41 tackles, two sacks, two deflections, and an interception in eight starts.
Earlier in the season, Burnett had missed two games due to a quad injury. Nevertheless, the Browns will have to replace Burnett in their secondary moving forward.
While Burnett makes his way to injured reserve, Juston Burris will likely draw the start at strong safety for the rest of the year. Burris has started in five games this season due to injuries to Burnett and Damarious Randall.
In those five games, Burris has played formidably with 12 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. The team's backup safety is in his second season with the Browns after joining the team in 2018.
Prior to being in Cleveland, Burris had spent his first two seasons with the New York Jets. Now, he'll be relied upon while the Browns hope to make an unlikely playoff push to end the season.
The first test for Burris in replacing Morgan Burnett will come in Week 12 versus the Miami Dolphins. It's unfortunate to see Burnett's season come to an abrupt end, but it's a positive sign to see that he should make a full recovery for 2020.