Browns GM Andrew Berry 'not overly optimistic' that Pro Bowl LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will ever play football again

Andrew Berry delivered a sad update on Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on Tuesday.

The Cleveland Browns general manager told reporters he's "not overly optimistic" that Owusu-Koramoah will ever play football again. 

Owusu-Koramoah missed the entire 2025 season and hasn't played since sustaining a neck injury against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8 of the 2024 season. Now, it appears his career might be over. Owusu-Koramoah is 26 years old. 

Per Scott Petrak of the Chronicle-Telegram, Berry didn't rule out a return for Owusu-Koramoah and didn't set a deadline for making a decision on his future with the team. The Browns are taking the situation month-to-month. 

Berry confirms previous report casting doubt on JOK's football future

Berry's update arrives two days after Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot reported that it's "doubtful" Owusu-Koramoah plays again, citing a source. 

Owusu-Koramoah responded to the report with a message on Instagram, implying the report was news to him.

"Someone catch me up on the news?" he wrote.

Berry's revelation Tuesday appears to confirm the validity of the report. 

If he doesn't play again, it will mark a premature end to the career of one of Cleveland's most promising young players. 

The Browns selected Owusu-Koramoah in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft after his standout college career at Notre Dame. He made an immediate impact on Cleveland's defense while playing 25 total games in his first two seasons. 

In his third season, Owusu-Koramoah led the Browns with 101 tackles, including 20 for loss and tallied 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. He made his first Pro Bowl and had developed into an anchor of a strong young defensive core alongside All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett and perennial Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward. 

Owusu-Koramoah hasn't addressed his status since his social media post responding to the Cleveland.com report.