Myles Garrett Battles Persistent Injuries
Cleveland Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett is enduring a challenging phase in his career, grappling with recurring injuries that continue to impact his performance on the field. In recent weeks, Garrett has been plagued by issues in both feet, which have led to a series of tests and examinations to assess the severity of his condition.
An MRI performed on Garrett on Monday returned clean results, providing a temporary sigh of relief to the Browns' medical team. However, despite the absence of severe damage, Garrett's injuries remain a cause for concern. His struggles have significantly curtailed his on-field contributions, notably reducing his snap count and overall effectiveness as a defensive powerhouse.
In comparison to last year, Garrett's presence on the field has noticeably diminished. He was involved in 76.46% of the Browns' defensive plays last season. This year, that percentage has dropped to 67.18%. This reduction has been evident in recent games, including those against the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars, where Garrett's limited engagement was palpable.
During the Week 3 loss to the Giants, Garrett could be seen massaging his feet on the sidelines, a clear indication of the discomfort he has been enduring. He also required medical attention on the field, reflecting the persistent nature of his injuries. Browns' head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged that Garrett is managing both Achilles and thigh injuries, describing the situation as complex.
Garrett expressed the difficulty of dealing with multiple injuries simultaneously, stating, "It’s more than just the foot. It’s multiple things going on. So, I mean, if I think the foot’s feeling good or feeling better, it’s one thing or another. So it’s kind of just feeding into each other right now, and nothing’s sitting right because nothing has time to heal because I’m leaning on something else and I’m compensating here to make something hurt there. It’s just been, like I said, a cycle."
Despite these challenges, Garrett remains determined to contribute to his team. "I’m not concerned about something I don’t know about. So, get the results and move from there. At this point, I’m going to continue to move as I have and look forward to playing the next game until someone tells me otherwise," he stated, displaying his characteristic resilience.
However, the Browns are mindful of the need to manage Garrett's injuries carefully. After being kept out of Wednesday’s practice, his status remains day to day, with the team’s medical staff adopting a cautious approach to ensure his long-term health and availability. Garrett’s history of durability—having missed just one game due to injury since the start of the 2021 season—will serve as a crucial factor in his recovery process.
The impact of Garrett’s limited participation is already being felt across the Browns' defense. His absence or restricted capacity on the field poses significant challenges for the team, which relies heavily on his defensive prowess. Ensuring Garrett has the necessary time to heal will be pivotal as the season progresses, with the Browns aiming to strike a balance between immediate performance and long-term sustainability.
Garrett’s determination and positive outlook will be key to his recovery and the Browns' defensive performance this season. As the team navigates this period of uncertainty, the focus remains on supporting Garrett through his recovery while maintaining competitive form on the field.