The Cleveland Browns’ defense had a goal for 2025: Get back that #1 ranking they enjoyed in 2023.
Safety Rodney McLeod retired. So did MLB Jordan Hicks. LB Devin Bush was arrested and is facing a six-game suspension. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was lost for the year, and DT Michael Hall, Jr. has begun training camp on the PUP list.
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At least the defensive backfield was still intact with quality players and a ton of depth.
Then,
MJ Emerson went down with an Achilles injury during the July 29 practice during a 7-on-7 drill while he was covering WR Diontae Johnson. It was a scary sight seeing him in obvious agony, lying on the turf. He was then carted off the field. It was later determined to be a torn tendon instead of a lesser partial tear. Surgery was required, and Emerson ended up on season-ending IR.
This has become a big blow to DC Jim Schwartz’s defensive secondary.
The thought process going into camp was that at least the defensive secondary remained top-tier. Despite Emerson having an off year last season, he was thought to he would rebound and bust out to a Pro Bowl level.
Now, his replacement will either come from the current roster of Nik Needham, Chigozie Anusiem, Cam Mitchell, Myles Harden, Dom Jones, or newly-signed Keenan Isaac, or Schwartz may move Greg Newsome from the slot to the outside corner position where he began his Browns career. There is also the possibility that Browns GM Andrew Berry may bring in a seasoned free agent.
Achilles tears are rarely partial
Clinical exam is conclussive
https://t.co/zUWDYbpdhm
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc)
July 29, 2025
But for now, Emerson is out for the year and recently had surgery to correct his left Achilles rupture.
What exactly is an Achilles injury?
It is damage to the Achilles tendon, which is a fibrous cord that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone located on the backside of the foot, just above the heel.
There are three types of Achilles injuries. “Achilles Tendonitis” is inflammation of the tendon, which is caused by overuse. “Achilles Tendinosis” is degeneration of the tendon due to the result of an injury. Finally, “Achilles Tenon Rupture” is a complete tear and is the most severe, which snaps the tendon in two.
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The pain is tremendous. Running is no longer an option, and good luck with walking without assistance. After surgery, a walking boot or cast, along with crutches or a walker, is mandatory in order to keep weight off the injury. Recovery is anywhere from several months to a solid year, with physical therapy a must.
Emerson was selected by the Browns in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. By mid-season, he had ousted Newsome from his right outside cornerback spot opposite Ward. In just his second season of 2023, he had a sensational season that was Pro Bowl-worthy.
This is the final year of MJ’s rookie contract. Truly, it is a setback for not only Emerson but for this Browns defense.
Dawgs by Nature’s Barry Shuck was able to contact Emerson’s dad, Martin Emerson, Sr., to discuss the surgery and what the future holds for MJ.
The Emerson family calls the son MJ for “Martin, Junior,” and the dad “Martin.” The father was a pretty good athlete himself as a competitive swimmer, doing the 100-meter breast freestyle and a member of his high school’s dive team. The family is Christian.
Despite 18 college offers from programs such as Miami, Florida, Auburn, Oregon, and Maryland, Martin, Sr. pushed his son to play college football at Mississippi State because of the small-town surroundings and isolation from larger cities. In essence, this was geared to keep any athlete out of trouble with a focus on football. Plus, it reminded the family of the medium-sized city MJ grew up in back home in Pensacola, Florida, home of Emmitt Smith, Don Sutton, Roy Jones, Jr., among others, plus the Blue Angels Navy aerial stunt team.
DBN: First of all, how is MJ after his surgery?
Martin, Sr: This was his first surgery in his life. He has never even had his tonsils out. This was the first time being put under anesthesia and being put to sleep, prepping for surgery, and being that hurt. But right now, he is in good spirits and looking forward to working to get back to playing shape.
DBN: When did he go in for surgery, and how long did it take?
Martin, Sr: The surgery took 20 minutes at UAB in Birmingham. He went the next afternoon.
DBN: Who was the surgeon?
Martin, Sr: That facility is part of the Andrews Institute. Dr. Norman Waldrop.
Editor’s note: The primary campus of the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center is located in Gulf Breeze, Florida, just outside the city limits of Pensacola
DBN: Is this a doctor the Browns recommended, or set up to do the procedure?
Martin, Sr: We wanted to use Andrews Institute, and so we chose the surgeon. We could have used the team doctor or another doctor associated with the Browns. But if MJ ever has to go back to Pensacola during any of his rehab, then he will just use their facility right over the bridge and continue what he needs. The Browns set up the surgery, though.
DBN: How was MJ’s spirits during pre-op?
Martin, Sr: He doesn’t like needles. When I first got there, he was down and more worried about getting down the road to recovery. But getting ready for surgery, he was surprisingly upbeat and ready to start his healing process.
DBN: The injury was during the Thursday practice, but what exactly happened?
Martin, Sr: He was coming out of a break during drills covering Diontae (Johnson), his foot was planted, and when he turned, he heard a pop. He said he knew exactly what that was. He wasn’t engaged with the receiver other than some hand play, just turned, and his foot didn’t release the turf in time. It was a non-contact injury.
DBN: Did MJ say this was a pretty painful injury?
Martin, Sr: He said the pain was indescribable. That was crazy with what happened. He said he had felt it earlier and felt a little tight. Typically, it loosens up.
Browns CB Martin Emerson Jr. being driven off field.
pic.twitter.com/r6iJMVWqhj
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak)
July 29, 2025
DBN: After they carted MJ off the practice field, where did they take him?
Martin, Sr: They took him to the medical facility there at the practice facility in Berea.
DBN: An Achilles can either be a partial tear or a completely torn tendon. When did they determine it was the worst-case scenario?
Martin, Sr: The same day actually. They did an MRI and confirmed what it was. It was a clean tear with all the tendons still together.
Even if it was partial, would that change the outcome/need to do surgery?
— BSD energy
(@therealSMiDT)
July 29, 2025
DBN: And did the process go pretty quickly from prognosis to scheduling surgery?
Martin, Sr: All in one day. He was practicing one day and preparing for surgery the next afternoon. After I found out exactly what it was, I went from the airport to the hospital and met with the surgeon.
DBN: Where were you when you found out, and how did word get to you about his injury?
Martin, Sr: I was eating lunch with another contractor. I told him about my son getting injured and leaving without finishing, and he said he would take care of the lunch situation. MJ’s agent called me.
DBN: Did you fly up from Pensacola before the surgery began?
Martin, Sr: I was on a plane the next morning. Tickets aren’t cheap when you don’t buy them way in advance like that. Over $700, and that’s one way. I tried to get a flight out that night, but the last flight out was delayed some kinda way, so I took the 5:30 a.m. flight out of Pensacola with a stop in Atlanta.
DBN: What was MJ’s workout routine like this off-season?
Martin, Sr: He worked his tail off and wanted this year to be special. Everyone on the defense has been talking about getting back to being elite. All off-season, he worked and trained. That’s pretty much all he did. If he took a trip, he scheduled training into his time and prepared for the year.
DBN: He didn’t fall off his bike and skin his knee, or is out for a few games. As a father, what do you say to your son to make this better once you both learned his entire season was lost?
Martin, Sr: As his father, I told him that God didn’t make any mistakes. We are a faith-based family and understand the dynamics of that. He was emotional the first day, but he understood. He told me that he would just have to work to get back. We don’t always understand; it’s all part of God’s plan for us.
DBN: Tell me about when the surgeon came out after the procedure was completed. What did he say to you and your family?
Martin, Sr: MJ took a while to come out of anesthesia, so that was to be expected if you don’t know what to expect. The surgeon said everything went well and there weren’t any surprises, and that MJ will be good to go.
DBN: What is his timeline for full recovery?
Martin, Sr: Six to eight months.
DBN: Is he in a cast or a walking boot? Crutches, walker, or wheelchair?
Martin, Sr: Right now, he is in a walking boot, but next week they are putting him in a cast. I am flying back on that day to be with him and help him get around the first few days. He is using a scooter to get around. It took him a couple of days to get used to it. Three weeks now?
DBN: Does that involve extensive rehab? Where will that be done?
Martin, Sr: He goes to rehab every other day at the practice facility. Every other day, he is working. And then after they clear him to begin walking, then start some light jogging, he will probably be there every day. It’s a slow process and has to allow the tendon to heal. The important thing about this injury is not to do anything too strenuous before it has healed fully. The worst thing is to have to start all over again.
DBN: After recovery, have the doctors indicated that there may be some changes to his physical and athletic abilities, or will he be as good as new?
Martin, Sr: The doctor said if he sticks to their plan, he will be back to his normal self. He won’t be slowed down or lose any part of his game. Which, when you think about it, playing cornerback is a lot of cutting and change of direction. As long as he allows it to heal, nothing new will change him, and he’ll be ready to go.
DBN: If it was a non-contact injury, could this have been prevented, or was it just one of those freaks of nature?
Martin, Sr: Another freak of nature injury.
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DBN: There is a new cleat called Caddix that has studs that move, which is supposed to eliminate non-contact injuries from happening. What brand of cleats was he wearing? Is Caddix something MJ will wear from now on?
Martin, Sr: Nike. He should look into those cleats so that this doesn’t happen again.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on disappointment of Martin Emerson Jr.’s torn Achilles.
pic.twitter.com/jpte8RvXrQ
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak)
July 30, 2025
DBN: The loss of MJ for the season is a huge blow for this Browns defense. Which coaches have visited or reached out?
Martin, Sr: I don’t really know which ones, but they were really concerned about him and his well-being.
DBN: MJ had an off year last season, but is a quick learner with a high football IQ and worked really hard this offseason. In his first two seasons he played at a high level; now the injury erases his contract year. Any expectations on what the team will do as far as a new deal going forward?
Martin, Sr: We don’t really know what the expectations will be with the Browns. Hopefully, they will see that he is a valuable part of this defense.
DBN: After the 2023 season, in which MJ had a tremendous year, how shocked were you that he did not get named to the Pro Bowl?
Martin, Sr: I was surprised but not shocked. Throughout his entire career, he has had to work to get his playing time and had good players that played phenomenal ball ahead of him that forced him to work harder and stay on the radar. He was always a frontrunner, but he was never in front. Wholeheartedly, we think that was a God design. It is okay for somebody else to get most of the credit; he just wants to play and play well.
DBN: Ever since MJ arrived in Cleveland, he has had to compete to win a job. First, it was Greedy Williams, then Troy Hill, and finally Greg Newsome. Somebody will now be playing his starting role on this defense this year. When he returns next year, how concerned are you that he will have to start over to prove the outside cornerback spot opposite Denzel Ward still belongs to him?
Martin, Sr: Not concerned about that at all. The entire organization knows who he is. They know who he is on the field and off the field. Nobody ever has a problem with him, and you won’t see his name in a negative light in the paper. They know he is a key starter. Now, will he have to work to get back into the lineup? Certainly. And we will root for his replacement to play well every Sunday.
DBN: MJ has always been durable. Going back to his high school days, has he ever had any type of injury?
Martin, Sr: He has never been injured – ever. Except for a sore muscle or some minor ding, he always played through it. With the Browns, he went out of one game and came back the next week like nothing ever happened.
DBN: What should Browns fans expect from MJ in the 2026 season?
Martin, Sr: A hungry individual. More mature, and a young man who will work to fulfill his purpose. I know how much he worked to get ready for this season, and he will be that much hungrier next year.
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