Browns WR David Bell To Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery

The third-year wide receiver for the Browns, David Bell, sustained a dislocated hip in Week 2, and as a result, he will miss the rest of the season. Bell is scheduled to have surgery to finish the season, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski.

In Sunday’s third quarter of Cleveland’s victory, the 23-year-old was wheeled off the field. So, a significant absence was anticipated; however, in light of the current information, Bell will focus on his recovery before the 2025 season. This is a significant setback for him considering he was already on the practice squad in 2024 and was considered a candidate for the roster that year.

Bell, who was chosen in the third round of the 2022 draft, had a 47% snap share in his first season. Despite only managing 214 scoreless yards on 24 receptions that season, he was targeted 35 times as a result of that playing time. Last year, the Purdue product’s utilization significantly decreased and he was only used on a rotating basis. In the course of his During his brief but healthy window in the current campaign, he played nine offensive snaps.

However, Bell’s contract extension until 2025 indicates the Browns intend to retain him for the near future at the very least. Cleveland’s wide receiver depth chart will currently be topped by Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, and Cedric Tillman. The Browns may decide to keep Bell on staff in order to make an addition targeted at completing his complimentary role.

In other injury news, running back Pierre Strong is thought to be week-to-week because of a hamstring problem, according to Stefanski. If he misses time, the team’s backfield will be shorthanded, but Cleveland’s offense may witness the return of any or all of its left tackle Jedrick Wills, right tackle Jack Conklin, and center David Njoku, a tight end, as early as Week 3. While it would be great to have them both, Bell won’t be involved in any way for the remainder of the season.