Browns Could Be Without Multiple Defenders vs. Vikings

Cleveland Browns helmet in 2025 Week 4.
Sep 28, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A general view of the Cleveland Browns helmets on the field before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns are set to face off in London for Week 5.

The Vikings are heading into the game arguably facing a must-win situation before they head into their bye and the schedule gets much more difficult than it has been even for the first four weeks of the season.

Not only is this going to be a tough game for the Vikings because it is their second consecutive game in Europe, but they are heading into the game without three of their five starting offensive linemen: Donovan Jackson, Ryan Kelly, and Brian O’Neill.

It’s not a great situation to be in facing a Browns defensive front that is one of the most talented in football, but the Browns themselves are facing some major injury issues as well. Cleveland could be without a number of key players as well heading into the matchup.

A Look at Cleveland Browns Injuries Ahead of Week 5 vs. Vikings

Browns
Sep 7, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Cleveland released its final injury report on Friday, and it revealed that the Browns will be without one of their defensive linemen for the fifth straight game to begin the season.

Mike Hall Jr. was ruled out with a knee injury once again. It’s an injury that has kept him sidelined since August, but the Browns interestingly opted not to place him on injured reserve. Some have argued it allows him to practice as part of his rehab.

Injuries have been a big issue for Hall throughout his career in Cleveland as Sunday will mark the 14th of 22 career NFL games he has missed since being drafted in the second round by the Browns.

Aug 3, 2023; Canton, Ohio, USA; The Cleveland Browns helmet of defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour (65) on the field at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Meanwhile, cornerback Greg Newsome is questionable to play Saturday because of a hamstring injury that had him pop up on the injury report on Thursday.

Unlike Hall, Newsome has started all four games this season, and he has recorded 17 tackles, including two tackles for loss, as well as a pair of passes defended.

It’s been a bit of a mixed bag for Newsome’s production so far in 2025, but that is in part due to the competition that Cleveland has played this year. He had a very strong game to start the season against the Cincinnati Bengals, allowing no receptions on either of his targets.

However, in games against the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions, Newsome was a bit of a liability in the secondary. Combined over those two matchups, he was targeted 12 times, allowing nine receptions for 133 yards.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) gets away from cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during NFL training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. © Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson on the field, they will be hoping their star receivers can get the better of Newsome if he is able to play.

The Browns and Vikings kick off at 8:30 a.m. Central on Sunday morning.


Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus.

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Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To ... More about Josh Frey