The Cleveland Browns ’ defensive front lost a central piece Sunday when defensive tackle Maliek Collins was carted off the field with a knee injury and ruled out for the remainder of Cleveland’s Week 13 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Collins signed with Cleveland in March on a two-year, $20 million deal and had quickly justified the investment.

Entering Sunday’s game, he had recorded 24 combined tackles and 6.5 sacks this season — a career‑high sack total that ranks among the best for interior defensive linemen.

He had also delivered one of his strongest performances of the year in Week 12, with 2.5 sacks and a recovered fumble in a key win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Collins exited in the third quarter against the 49ers after being evaluated by team medical staff on the sidel

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