BEREA — Sione Takitaki seems to realize that he probably lost millions of dollars when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and underwent season-ending knee surgery last month.
Browns linebacker is expected to become an unrestricted free agent at 4 p.m. on March 15, when his rookie contract is due to expire. He was playing well until an injury interfered Dec. 4 on the road against Houston Texans.
“I feel like I have enough duct tape to end up landing on my feet, so I’m not really worried,” Takitaki said Monday as the Browns players cleared their lockers. a season-ending loss to Pittsburgh and a 7-10 finish.
“It’s definitely boring. You know what I mean? I definitely could have been hooked into the next contract, but I’m excited. I still have a lot of tape and I bring a lot to Table.
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Browns know better than any other NFL franchise what Takitaki offers. In 2019, they drafted him in the third round (#80 overall) from Brigham Young University, and Takitaki would like to continue to call Cleveland home.
“Yes, I have already expressed my opinion” Takitaki said. “I love Cleveland. I told them I wanted to come back, so we’ll see what the future holds.
Takitaki’s return will be a deciding factor, as well as how the Browns’ new defensive coordinator evaluates him. The franchise fired Joe Woodswho has held the position for the past three seasons, Monday morning.
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Takitaki revealed he underwent surgery on December 14, putting him on track for a return in mid-October, if all goes well. He used crutches in the locker room on Monday.
“I know I can be ready for the season,” he added. “I think it’s like 10 months from my surgery date, so that’s a long time, and the way I’m operating, the way I can get healthy again, I’m confident.
“I got on the bike. I was able to get the extension. Sometimes it takes like seven weeks, six weeks, for guys. I did it in three, so the operation obviously went very well.
Takitaki, 27, plans to rehabilitate his knee at Browns headquarters for at least the first part of the offseason. Him and comrade future free agent Anthony Walker Jr. went through the process together. Walker suffered a season-ending quadriceps tendon tear September 22 against the Steelers.
“I’m a free agent, obviously, as we all know,” Walker said. “It’s a talking point for my agent and the general manager, Andrew Berry. So we’ll see. I love being here, I love Cleveland. I hate moving, packing and moving. It’s one of my pet peeves. But it will be exciting if I can come back here.
“At the end of the day, it’s a business, though. I know, I understand that. When I was younger, I probably didn’t understand this as much. I remember my coach in my rookie year saying, “The team won’t be the same next year,” and it was literally a whole different team. And that’s what the NFL is.
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Like Takitaki and Walker, three other Browns linebackers ended the season on the injured list: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (foot)Jacob Phillips (pectoral muscle) and Jordan Kunaszyk (hand).
“I’ve really never been [seriously] hurt my whole career, so it was kind of like, ‘Man, what? It’s not normal,” Takitaki said. “Then I was disappointed – definitely disappointed – but that’s the situation and now the recovery process. I’m excited for the future.
In 12 games, including eight starts, Takitaki compiled 69 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble last season. ProFootballFocus.com ranked him 33rd among the 84 qualified linebackers it ranked in 2022.
Browns coaches and players praised Takitaki and lamented losing him with five games remaining.
“That means a lot, man,” he said. “I love this team. I love all the coaches, my teammates, everyone I have been in contact with. So that means a lot for sure.
Nate Ulrich can be contacted at nullrich@thebeaconjournal.com.
On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.