The Cleveland Browns and the Kansas City Chiefs faced off in their final preseason game on Saturday, and the game got off on a sour note when Browns kick returner Jakeem Grant suffered a gruesome injury on the opening kickoff.
Grant has been one of the most prolific return men in all of football since entering the league in 2016, earning a Pro Bowl appearance in 2021 as a returner.
The Browns were hoping that Grant could be a difference-maker on special teams this coming season, but that may unfortunately not come to fruition after his injury on Saturday.
Grant took the opening kickoff of the game back to the Browns’ 23-yard line, but appeared to go down awkwardly on his leg, and was instantly down on the field in a ton of pain.
He was unfortunately carted off the field as players on the field looked on, and had to have an air cast put on his leg, which is never a good sign.
Patrick Mahomes and other #chiefs players were out on field for #browns WR Jakeem Grant. An air cast was put on Grant and he was carted off. pic.twitter.com/mlTqSkv75T
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 26, 2023
Fans took notice of the horrible injury and hope that the injury diagnosis is not as bad as it may seem.
Injuries suck. Bad luck for Jakeem Grant, one of NFL’s best return men.
Grant just got to full go in practice a couple of weeks ago coming back from the 2nd torn Achilles of his career. Now ruled out with knee injury on 1st play with the Browns. https://t.co/K3UbUNqz6p
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 26, 2023
Oh my… Jakeem Grant Sr. is down and in extreme pain following the opening kickoff. It doesn’t look good. #Browns
— Noah Weiskopf (@BrownsWithNoah) August 26, 2023
I mean that’s one of the worst starts to a game ever. Can’t feel any worse for such a good dude in Jakeem Grant.
Players probably shook. Hope everyone settles in, gets in gets some work and gets out healthy. 🙏🏽
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) August 26, 2023
Jakeem Grant who has missed a lot of time due to injuries was carted off the field now wearing an air cast. Terrible news. pic.twitter.com/KnsnfXxNE5
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 26, 2023
Really sad sight for Jakeem Grant, who just battled back from an Achilles injury.
It just hasn’t panned out for him in a Browns uniform at all. #DawgPound
— Nick Pedone (@NickPedone12) August 26, 2023
His first ever in game action since the achilles injury in last years training camp and has to be helped off the field
Prayers up for Jakeem Grant- you really feel for this guy #DawgPound
— Mac🦬 (@tha_buffalo) August 26, 2023
Grant has had some pretty rough injury luck as of late, as he missed the entirety of the 2022 NFL season with a torn Achilles last preseason.
This was his first game back from that injury, and to get injured in the first play of his first game back has to be a devastating feeling.
