Browns’ Zak Zinter Receives Clean Bill of Health From GM Andrew Berry Despite November Leg Injury

Good times seem to roll for the Brown Bombers. The Cleveland Browns finally got the chance to try their luck in the third round of the NFL Draft. Making full use of the opportunity, Kevin Stefanski and company succeeded in bringing in former Michigan Wolverines’ star, G Zak Zinter with the 85th overall selection.

However, this has been a risky chase since Zinter was away from the field for the final three games of the 2023 season due to a broken leg. It seems that their times to worry have come to an end as GM Andrew Berry gives Zinter a clean bill on fitness.  

Good news for Zinter and Cleveland

Zinter was one of the most important players on the Wolverines roster and had been a unanimous All-America selection last season. However, his career hit a temporary pause as he broke his tibia and fibula during Michigan’s win over arch-rival Ohio State Buckeyes back in November. But there seems to be a positive update on his condition. As tweeted by WEWS reporter, Camryn Justice, “#Browns Andrew Berry said Zak Zinter is healthy enough to be able to play this season after breaking his leg in November.”

Surprisingly, his talents did not go unnoticed. Impressed by his performance he was one of the 18 Wolverines to be invited in Indianapolis despite his injury. Zinter, too updated on his condition, “Just broke the (tibia) and (fibula), no ligaments in the ankle or the knee, so recovery is going quicker and better than I thought.” Hence, the Browns are all geared up to bolster their interior pass rush.

How does Zinter fit in Browns?

Draft day 2 marked an important day for the Browns as they added strength to strength. To be able to move forward with strong offensive and defensive lines, the program sought out Zinter. According to an NFL.com analyst, “Zinter enters the league with NFL size, toughness and technique. He is an average athlete in short spaces but is very capable of climbing to the second level with good angles and making hits on short pulls.” 

Prior to his injury, through 12 games Zinter accomplished 649 offensive snaps. Taking his Pro Football Focus grades into account, the right guard had a 76.6 overall grade in 2023, with a 75.8 run-block grade and a 73.8 pass-block grade. In Cleveland, Zinter will have little to no pressure since he will receive assistance from two established guards, Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller.

When Zinter was in Michigan he was one of the most reliable blockers among a two-time Joe Moore Award-winning group. Even though, it might take some time for him to acclimatize himself post-rehab, his experience being a fairly mobile road grader while help him in coming times.