It’s been a rotten season for the Browns. Injuries, poor results, the questionable decision-making of their big-name quarterback – and now linebacker Armonty Bryant will miss Sunday’s game at Kansas City after he and safety De’Ante Saunders were arrested Christmas morning following a traffic stop.
Bryant, who has a history of legal troubles, is not traveling with the team so he can tend to the legal matter. Browns general manager Ray Farmer issued a statement on Saturday condemning the players’ behavior.
“These are charges that we take very seriously,” Farmer said. “The importance of responsible decision-making is something we continually stress to all members of our organization, which makes it extremely disappointing that these two individuals would put themselves in this situation by making such poor decisions.”
Farmer said the incident is subject to the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
There were no immediate details about the arrests. The state highway patrol said no information will be available until after 10 pm Saturday.
Browns coach Mike Pettine gave his players the holiday off so they could be with their families.
Bryant is second on the team with 5 1/2 sacks this season, his third with the Browns. The 25-year-old was drafted in the seventh round in 2013 from East Central Oklahoma, where he had some off-field problems. He was arrested for driving under the influence less than a week after Cleveland drafted him. He was also suspended for three games in college for selling marijuana to an undercover officer.
Saunders has been on Cleveland’s practice squad.
The Browns, who are 3-11 and dead last in AFC North, will visit the Chiefs on Sunday before ending the regular season at home against Pittsburgh on Janueary 3.
