The Cleveland Browns’ embattled cornerback ended the 2015 season by refusing to go back into the game during the Brown’s season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
If you’ve been following former Oklahoma State Cowboy cornerback Justin Gilbert’s short NFL career, you’ve probably noticed how tumultuous it’s been.
After battling injuries and being used sparingly during his rookie season in 2014, Gilbert was expected to be a bigger factor in 2015. The season was instead filled with plenty of drama and injuries, and Sunday’s merciful end to a 3-13 campaign from the Browns was surrounded by typical Browns stories, such as Johnny Manziel making dumb decisions, and Gilbert being an overall ass in general.
According to Lauren Brill, a reporter for local ABC affiliate WEWS in Cleveland, Gilbert refused to go back into the game on Sunday. He had received some playing time prior, but apparently decided that he was done for the day. Due to being shorthanded at cornerback because of injuries and personal situations, Cleveland was actually forced to move Tashaun Gipson over from safety to corner in place of Gilbert.
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The erratic behavior capped off a season that saw Gilbert, a former first round pick, play just 51 total snaps. While he has battled some injuries this season, Gilbert’s 2015 year was plagued by reports of being uncommitted, disinterested in football, talks of possible position changes, and just an aloofness in general that rubbed people the wrong way. The Big Lead published a story back in November that described some of Gilbert’s behavior this season, as well as player’s attitudes towards him.
Gilbert’s behavior and attitude has been pretty puzzling and unforeseen to most, considering his level of play and commitment during his career from high school through college. With the announcement of head coach Mike Pettine and GM Ray Farmer’s firing on Sunday, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Gilbert traded, or simply cut as the Browns moved forward.
In two seasons as a pro, Gilbert has played in 22 games and has 39 tackles, an interception, eight passes defensed and a defensive touchdown, most of which came in 2014.