Season-Ending Injury to Tashaun Gipson Latest Blow to Browns' AFC North Hopes

It would be an understatement to say that initial expectations for the 2014 Cleveland Browns were low.

In fact, preseason poll of ESPN writers predicted that Cleveland would win just one game this season.

One.

Yet, here the Browns sit with a 7-4 record and in the thick of the AFC North divisional race. For a franchise that has experienced double-digit losses in each of the past six seasons, this is definitely a sign of improvement. 

When you consider all of the substantial hurdles the Browns have been forced to overcome to get to this point, that 7-4 record seems downright impressive.

That previously unwanted rookie head coach has the team believing. The journeyman quarterback with a restructured ACL is commanding the offense. That group of no-name receivers forced to carry the load for 10 games without Josh Gordon did perfectly fine.

Key offseason acquisition Ben Tate didn't like his role. He was cut. A pair of rookies can handle the job.

First-round cornerback Justin Gilbert hasn't met expectations. Undrafted rookie K'Waun Williams stepped right in and has thrived.

Cleveland survived a brutal opening schedule, has tuned out the critics and has withstood a rash of injuries to some of the most key players on the roster.

The long-beleaguered Browns haven't even been daunted by playing in the first division in NFL history to have all four teams three games over .500.  

Cleveland is far from a well-oiled machine, of course. There have been bad losses and ugly wins abound this season. However, this is a team that has managed to scrape, claw and climb past almost every roadblock that has arisen on the way to AFC North contention.

The latest hurdle, however, may just be the most difficult to overcome.

One play during last week's win over the Atlanta Falcons ended with cornerback Joe Haden and safety Tashaun Gipson colliding in the worst of ways. Haden found his way back onto the football field. Gipson suffered an MCL sprain and is likely to miss the rest of the regular season, reports NFL Injury News:

To the casual fan, losing Gipson might not seem like that big of a deal. However, the former undrafted addition had elevated his play to a Pro Bowl level this season and had established himself as the centerpiece of the Cleveland secondary before injury.

Of all the notable injuries the Browns have dealt with this season, his may hurt the worst.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Gipson ranks fourth overall among safeties in the NFL this season. He has 52 tackles, one forced fumble, eight pass breakups and a touchdown for the year.

Gipson also leads the NFL in interceptions with six.

Now the Browns will be forced to turn to veteran Jim Leonhard at the free safety position while leaving their playmaking center fielder behind.

The good news is that Cleveland boasts a talented secondary, ranked No. 1 in pass coverage for the year by Pro Football Focus. 

The bad news is that Gipson was the glue that held this secondary together, and it is difficult to predict how the unit will respond to his absence. Gibson, for the record, is ranked 28th among safeties by Pro Football Focus.

Missing Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Cameron for much of the season has had an effect, but the offense has dealt with it. The defensive line has survived injuries to the likes of Phil Taylor, Desmond Bryant, John Hughes and Armonty Bryant. Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan tweeted an update on Cameron:

There was an adjustment period after the loss of Pro Bowl center Alex Mack, for sure. However, the Browns still rank second overall in pass-blocking, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Browns will find out on Sunday, just how well equipped the team is to handle the loss of their defensive ball hawk. Considering the Buffalo Bills rank just 20th in passing (225.5 yards per game on average), the immediate test could be worse.

However, this might just be the most important stretch of the expansion Browns era (winning the most competitive division ever wold be huge) so the pressure will definitely be on. If Cleveland can't find a way to rise to the occasion and meet its newest obstacle head on, then the Browns may have to bid their 2014 AFC North dreams farewell.