Browns' Grant Delpit to Have Surgery on Torn Achilles Injury, Will Miss Season

Cleveland Browns rookie Grant Delpit is expected to miss the entire 2020 NFL season after being diagnosed with a torn Achilles, the club announced.

Delpit was carted off the field during Monday's practice. An MRI later revealed the full extent of the injury. Cleveland took Delpit No. 44 overall in April's draft after a stellar junior season at LSU. 

The two-time All-American is listed on Cleveland's second-string defense behind starting free safety Andrew Sendejo, though the 32-year-old has just a one-year deal with the Browns.

Delpit is clearly a large part of Cleveland's future defensive plans, and any time missed delays a valuable development period. With no minicamps or OTAs this offseason because of the pandemic, training camp provided one of the first real chances for the Browns' coaching staff to get on the field with Delpit and help him transition from college to the pros. 

Given his success at LSU, Cleveland hoped it could expedite that process. Delpit, who hails from Houston, had 79 total tackles, eight interceptions, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in three years with the Tigers, helping win over Browns general manager Andrew Berry.  

The first-year GM told reporters after picking Delpit:

"We really viewed him as a big, versatile playmaker. He's been a really kind of an impact player for LSU over the past two seasons. Our appeal to Grant is the fact of his coverage abilities. He is a guy who can play the post. He can play you at the line of scrimmage. He can cover tight ends and walk over a slot and hold his own against receivers. He has been a consistent ball producer throughout his career at LSU."

Now those abilities are on hold while Cleveland waits to learn the severity of his injury.