Browns LB Christian Kirksey to Miss Week 3 With Chest Injury

The Cleveland Browns picked up a very important win against the New York Jets on Monday night, but they didn't escape the game unscathed.

The Browns lost a key piece of their defensive unit to injury in the primetime win, as linebacker Christian Kirksey picked up a knock to his chest, one which could prove serious. Kirksey has already been ruled out for Week 3's clash with the L.A. Rams, and the team is assessing the best course of action for the 27-year-old.

With Kirksey sidelined for Week 3, and possibly longer, the Browns will deploy rookie LB Mack Wilson as the team's starter. The fifth-round pick logged four tackles in his two NFL appearances thus far.

There's a chance that Kirksey's injury will require surgery, which would be a big blow to the defense, especially considering the linebacker is one of Cleveland's defensive captains.

Kirksey recorded a career-high 143 tackles in 2016 and came close to breaking it with 138 in 2017. His 2018 campaign was plagued by injury, as he was sidelined for much of the season with an ailing hamstring, missing the final six games of the year.

Browns fans will be hoping Kirksey is able to make a quick return to the field, but if not, all eyes will be on Wilson as the rookie out of Alabama looks to fill the void.