Browns' Vernon to miss playoffs with ruptured Achilles

Cleveland Browns edge rusher Olivier Vernon will miss the playoffs due to a torn Achilles, head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Vernon went down with what the Browns called an ankle injury during their Week 17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"He's a leader for our football team in how he plays," Stefanski said of Vernon, according to Tony Zarrella of 19 News. "Hard to replace."

Vernon and Myles Garrett formed one of the NFL's top pass-rushing duos this season, with the former contributing nine sacks across 14 appearances. The 30-year-old endured a rough 2019 campaign following a trade from the New York Giants, managing just 3.5 sacks over 10 games.

A nine-year veteran, Vernon is set to enter free agency at the end of the season.

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