Former Notre Dame star has likely played his final NFL game

Feb 23, 2026 - 00:00

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Former Notre Dame star has likely played his final NFL game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Last October, former Notre Dame and current Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah suffered a career threatening neck injury. On what seemed to be a routine tackle of Ravens running back Derrick Henry, Owusu-Koramoah had good position, but his neck gave way at the point of contact.

Almost from the instant contact was made, Owusu-Koramoah’s entire body seized as he slowly fell to the ground with limited movement. He would need to be immobilized and carted off the field.

As a point of reference, Owusu-Koramoah was one of the first NFL players to voluntarily wear the ‘guardian cap’ as part of a preemptive step to minimize head injuries.

On Saturday, longtime Cleveland beat writer Mary Kay Cabot all but confirmed the worst held fear regarding Owusu-Koramoah. “It is doubtful that Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will ever return to the field”.

All injuries that correspond to the head, neck or spine carry additional concerns. Sixteen months and multiple surgeries later and the former Fighting Irish linebacker’s prognosis to return to football is not improving.

Mary Kay Cabot references an unnamed league source. However, this news does not come as a galloping shock to anyone who has been following the Owusu-Koramoah story.

No one close to the situation was more than 'hopeful'

Shortly after the injury then teammate and fellow linebacker Jordan Hicks was asked about the injury. Hicks’ comments did not go unnoticed. Prompting speculation of just how severe the injury was.

“We understand the risks that come with it (football), but at the end of the day, you see something like that and its real life. It puts things into perspective. We hope and we pray he makes a miraculous recovery.”

During an offseason press conference, General Manager Andrew Berry was asked to comment on the Owusu-Koramoah situation almost a year after the injury. Berry in a quick transitional statement claimed the linebacker “was a great player”. Past tense. Berry quickly corrected himself, but it was already out there.

Berry in a different public comment was asked for an injury update and while Berry offered a response, it was far from an update. It was more of an indication just how in the dark the organization was pertaining to Owusu-Koramoah’s playing future.

"I wish I had a specific update for you on Jeremiah,” Berry said. “I would say that he's slowly making progress. He's going through all that's required medically, but I don't have anything else."

During voluntary Organized Team Activities in 2025, fans got a small sliver of hope. When rookies and players intending to participate in the voluntary OTAs began arriving, so did a familiar face. "JOK" arrived in Berea almost as if he planned to participate.

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Shortly thereafter, the player himself put out a public comment on his injury status. His comments closed the door on playing in 2025 but also did not add any optimism for 2026.

"To the Cleveland Browns fansbase and my supports worldwide - thank you for your patience in my silence. While I won't suit up this season, I'm focused on what I can control - my healing, my mindset, and my faith. I've given my heart to this game. I don't know what's next, but I'll continue trusting my medical team, serving the community, and backing my brothers on the field."

Cabot's almost confirmation that Owusu-Koramoah may never play again is not shocking news, but it is staggering realization of what many had already feared. A player both at Notre Dame and the Browns that made a reputation as a good man and a player who played with his hair on fire, may never grace the gridiron as a player ever again.

The Browns have been rather guarded on how much information they release pertaining to the injury that now looks career ending. In January of 2025 reporter and insider Scott Petrak said, “He's not talked to the media since the injury. With the Browns, when they speak, they're not willing to talk past 2025 when he wasn't going to play."

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At this point in the process, all interested parties seem to be focused on JOK’s ability to get back to a reasonable semblance of normal life. Playing football has become very secondary. From what has been said publicly, he should be fine long term.

His appearance at OTAs and his appearance as the honorary Dawg Pound Captain (where a person is expected to smash a real guitar over a hard surface) on December 7, 2025, suggested he can function as an able-bodied person, he just can’t resume football activities.

The former Notre Dame linebacker had a highly decorated college career. Including the 2020 Butkus Award winner, 2020 unanimous All-American, 2020 Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-ACC. In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns traded up seven spots to draft Owusu-Koramoah with the 52^nd pick in the second round.