The Cleveland Browns will be without the NFL's current interception leader for their push toward the playoffs.
Safety Tashaun Gipson suffered a Grade 3 MCL injury Sunday, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source who has spoken to the player.
Gipson was carted off the field after a collision with Joe Haden in the fourth quarter of Cleveland's win over the Atlanta Falcons.
The safety avoided any ACL damage. He could return for the playoffs, if the team makes it to January and keeps his active, per Rapoport.
Losing Gipson is a big blow to a Browns secondary that was playing better the past few weeks after struggling to open the season. Cleveland (7-4) ranks ninth in the NFL, allowing 232 passing yards per game.
Gipson had six interceptions and eight passes defensed to go along with 52 tackles on the season. Pro Football Focus ranked him as their No. 3 safety on the season.
Jordan Poyer and Jim Leonhard will cover the Browns' free safety spot in Gipson's absence.
Some other injuries we are following Monday:
- Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett suffered a torn right pectoral muscle and is out for the season.
- Vikings right tackle Phil Loadholt also tore his pectoral muscle and will require surgery, ending his season, coach Mike Zimmer said Monday. That's another blow for a shaky offensive line in front of Teddy Bridgewater.
- Giants linebacker Jameel McClain is getting an MRI on his knee. Rapoport reports that at the moment the belief is it's not a serious injury.
- Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan (cracked leg bone) returned to practice Monday after spending more than a month on the injured reserve-designated to return list. The team has set a tentative target of Week 14 for his return.
- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jonesalso returned to practice Monday. Jones suffered a wrist injury that required surgery in Week 3 and can be activated through Dec. 15.
- Ahead of their Thanksgivingtilt in Dallas, the Eagles listed linebacker Emmanuel Acho as a limited participant during practice.
- Niners coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters Monday that he doesn't anticipate linebacker NaVorro Bowmanpracticing this week. Harbaugh also said that Anthony Davis is still experiencing concussion symptoms.
- Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson injured his toe against the Bills. Wilkerson never returned to the game.
- Saints DL Brodrick Bunkley was helped off the field with a leg injury and never returned Monday night.
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