The Cleveland Browns received unfortunate news regarding wide receiver David Bell following their Week 2 victory. The third-year wideout suffered a dislocated hip and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season, head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed. Bell is set to undergo season-ending surgery, officially sidelining him as he begins a long rehab process.
Bell, who was carted off the field during the third quarter, had shown promise but now faces a significant setback in his young career. The 23-year-old was on the roster bubble for much of the 2024 season, bouncing between the active roster and the practice squad. This injury compounds the challenges already facing the former third-round pick, whose long-term future with the team could be in question.
Drafted in 2022 out of Purdue, Bell played in 47% of the offensive snaps as a rookie but saw limited production, tallying 214 yards on 24 receptions. His playing time significantly decreased in 2023, and even during his short period of health this season, he saw action on just nine offensive snaps. Bell’s contract runs through 2025, and while his injury casts uncertainty on his future, the Browns still hope he can return next season.
In Bell’s absence, Cleveland will look to rely more heavily on their remaining receiving corps, headlined by Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, and rookie Cedric Tillman. Whether the team will add another wideout to fill Bell’s role remains to be seen, but the Browns will have to make adjustments on the fly.
In additional injury news, running back Pierre Strong is listed as week-to-week with a hamstring issue. The Browns are also hopeful that key players such as left tackle Jedrick Wills, right tackle Jack Conklin, and tight end David Njoku could return for Week 3, which would be a significant boost to the offense.
While the Browns remain hopeful for the return of several key players, David Bell’s absence marks a tough loss for a player looking to carve out a role in Cleveland’s future plans.
