Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah's fit, Deion Jones debut impacts Browns linebackers' snaps

BALTIMORE − There is sometimes too much made about the specific snap counts for players in any given game. Things happen to impact those, often leading to variables from game to game.

However, sometimes you can get a story on how a team is approaching a specific opponent by how it's deploying its players. That was the case in the Browns' 23-20 loss Sunday at Baltimore.

The Ravens are a team built on athleticism, specifically in quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Browns have structured their defensive roster with that in mind, which is why it's easy to see the impact of game plan in the snap counts from the game.

That starts with one very specific player on defense.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah heavily involved against Ravens

There were some eyebrows raised following the Browns' Oct. 16 loss to the New England Patriots about the usage of linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The second-year pro was limited to just 33 defensive snaps against the Patriots, or 47% of the 70 snaps the defense was on the field that game.

The reasoning given by both coach Kevin Stefanski and defensive coordinator Joe Woods was about fit. The style the Patriots play, which is big and physical, favored Sione Takitaki over the smaller Owusu-Koramoah.

The Ravens, though, are exactly the team the Browns' front office had in mind when it picked Owusu-Koramoah in the second round in 2021. So it was no surprise he played 51 of a possible 64 defensive snaps, or 80% of the snaps.

Owusu-Koramoah led all Browns linebackers in defensive snaps against the Ravens. Takitaki was second with 36, or 56% of the snaps.

Of course, an injury also played a factor in those numbers.

Deion Jones makes his debut as Jacob Phillips gets hurt

Since Anthony Walker Jr. was hurt in the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 22, Jacob Phillips had played literally every Browns defensive snap at middle linebacker. They went out on Oct. 9 to help Phillips out by acquiring Deion Jones from the Atlanta Falcons.

Jones, who was on the injured list when he was acquired, was activated on Saturday and made his debut against the Ravens. He and Phillips, who started, alternated series at the middle linebacker position, and he played 33 snaps (52%).

Phillips was only two snaps behind Jones at 31 (48%). However, a caveat that will no doubt impact things for next Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, is that Phillips departed late in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.

If Phillips is out for any length of time, it's likely that Jones would see his snap counts go up to the near-100% that Phillips was at the previous three games. Unless a trade is made by the Nov. 1 deadline.

National Tight End Day a nightmare of sorts for Browns

The Browns would like to forget the way National Tight End Day went for them in Baltimore. They started the day with three active tight ends, including one who was playing about as well as any tight end in the league, and ended it with just one.

David Njoku played 37 of the Browns' 60 offensive snaps (62%) before leaving with an ankle injury in the third quarter. That was just three snaps more than Harrison Bryant's 34 (57%), who departed the Ravens game as the only healthy tight end on the active roster.

Pharaoh Brown, who was signed earlier this month to be the third tight end, played 11 snaps (18%) against the Ravens. Brown left the game in the fourth quarter and was being evaluating for a concussion.

The Browns do have Miller Forristall, who has been active for multiple games this season, and Zaire Mitchell-Paden on the practice squad.

The 100% club includes many of the usual suspects

The group of Browns players who played every offensive or defensive snap was found in the usual position groups. On offense, it featured quarterback Jacoby Brissett and the starting offensive line of center Ethan Pocic, guards Joel Bitonio and Hjalte Froholdt, as well as tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin.

Safeties Grant Delpit and John Johnson III each played all 64 defensive snaps. Cornerbacks Greg Newsome II and Martin Emerson Jr. each played 63 of a possible 64 snaps.

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah's fit, Deion Jones debut impacts Browns' snaps