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BEREA, Ohio — Browns rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger is doing everything he can to try and get back on the field after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 8. However, whether he’ll be able to do so this week against the New York Jets on Sunday remains to be seen. More Cleveland Browns coverage How will Tommy Rees change things for the Browns offense? Berea Report (Video) How Tommy Rees calling plays impacts the Browns: Thursday’s Sports 4 CLE Kevin Stefanski will give offensive coordinator Tommy Rees ‘final say’ over play calling - to a point “I think, just for me, I’m every day coming in and trying to get as good as I can as fast as possible to get back out there,” Schwesinger said on Thursday. Schwesinger did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday. The Browns’ No. 33 pick out of UCLA currently leads the team with 60 tackles. He has one sack and just got his first career interception against the Patriots in that Week 8 game before he was injured in the fourth quarter. Schwesinger spent the Browns’ Week 9 bye in Cleveland rehabbing, hoping to get back on the field as soon as possible, especially knowing high ankle sprains are sometimes notoriously difficult injuries. If the injury is severe enough, players can sometimes be sidelined for around a month. Schwesinger’s initial prognosis was fairly promising though, with head coach Kevin Stefanski saying the team wasn’t expecting him to need an IR stint the day after the injury. “I wasn’t allowed to leave on the bye week,” Schwesinger said. “But, I mean, other than that it was just the same thing. I was coming in every day and trying to do everything I could so I could get back on the field as fast as possible.” If Schwesinger is unable to go, it will be a joint effort to replace his production against the Jets. Devin Bush is second right now to Schwesinger with 57 tackles. There will also be more opportunity for Jerome Baker (13 tackles) and undrafted rookie Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (one tackle). But Mohamoud Diabate will likely take over Schwesinger’s responsibility as the “green dot” signal caller for the defense. Diabate has 12 tackles, and one forced fumble which he got against the Patriots. “If Carson can’t go, Mohamoud’s going to step up,” safety Grant Delpit said. “He had a forced fumble the last game, couple of tackles, so he’s going to step up in the big role. I don’t think it’s going to really affect me as much (playing in the box), but Mohamoud’s going to be ready, and he’s going to have that green dot.” The 2-6 Browns could certainly use his athleticism against a 1-7 Jets squad that has been running the ball well thanks in large part to Breece Hall (581 yards, 117 carries, two touchdowns). They are third in the league averaging 143.6 rushing yards per game. And in the midst of a losing season, Schwesinger has been one of the few positive standouts. PFF has him ranked sixth among all qualifying defensive rookies with a 74.4 overall grade. “Carson means a lot to us, not just from his play – but also his communication and things like that," Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said Thursday. “And I think he’s also stepping in with some leadership things. ... I think we’ll get him back on the field. Whether it’s this week, next week after, whatever it is, I think you’ll continue to see a lot of those same positives from him.” If he can’t go, the Browns will adjust. But if he can, they’ll welcome back a rookie who refuses to let even a high ankle sprain slow his rise.
