The Cleveland Browns have suffered a major setback less than two weeks before training camp is due to get underway.
Defensive end Desmond Bryant was forced to have surgery this week to repair a torn pectoral muscle, and he is likely to miss the coming season.
The defensive player suffered the injury in the weight room in the gym, and the Browns have announced that there is possibly no chance that he could return at any point during the coming season.
Bryant wanted to become a leader for Browns
Browns coach Hue Jackson said that he feels “awful” for the player as he has worked hard to get stronger and fitter this off season in preparation for the 2016 campaign.
He said: “This is a young man that worked extremely hard this off season to prepare himself for the 2016 season. He really bought into out coaching, out team-over-self-philosophy and was intent on becoming a leader for out team.”
The coach added that his defensive staff were expecting a very productive season from Bryant, but they are fully aware that injuries are part-and-parcel of this sport.
There is no doubt that the team will miss the defensive end, according to Jackson, who went on to say that he wishes the player a “speedy recovery”.
Veteran thanks fans for their support
The veteran defensive player led the team during a disappointing season with six sacks, and in the last three years, Bryant started all 41 games he appeared in.
Bryant is highly thought of in Cleveland and will be a big miss, and he thanked fans, friends and family for their messages since the news broke out.
“While I’m frustrated and disappointed about having to miss some time out there with my teammates. I take comfort in knowing that preparations have already begun for an epic return,” he said in a statement.