Browns Joe Haden suffered hip pointer in loss to Bears
By Peter Smith
Browns CB Joe Haden has a hip pointer, causing him to exit. Doesn't sound like a huge deal, but any missed time could be season-ending now
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 16, 2013
As reported by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden had to leave the game against the Chicago Bears when he went down with a hip injury. While a hip pointer does come with a significant amount of pain, it does not have any structural issue that should have any lingering effects. It could, however, mean the end of Haden’s season.
The Browns are currently 4-10 and with little to play for in the last two weeks of the season, they could opt to go the safe route on this and just shut him down to recover. Haden has played at a high level for most of the season and the Browns know exactly what they have in him.
The other small benefit that comes for the Browns with Haden potentially out is they get to take a longer look at third round rookie Leon McFadden. Haden and Buster Skrine have been an impressive unit for the Browns this year and Haden may end up getting to the Pro Bowl for it, but the Browns do need to find a reliable third corner. The hope was that McFadden would be that guy but injuries early in camp stalled his progress. He has played relatively well since the bye week when he has gotten more opportunities.
As frustrating as it is that Haden went down with the injury, most fans are letting out a sigh of relief that it was not anything worse than a hip pointer. The Browns travel to play the New York Jets on the road this week.