BEREA, Ohio - Joe Burrow didn’t get lucky for Sunday’s opener against the Browns in Cleveland afterall.
Ferocious pass-rusher Myles Garrett, who’s sacked him nine times -- more than any other quarterback in Garrett’s Halloween graveyard -- was back on the practice field Friday after sitting out Thursday with pain in his hip.
Garrett went through all individual drills in the early 10 minutes of practice open to the media.
It’s a good sign that he’ll face the Bengals on Sunday, a game he probably wouldn’t have missed for the world.
The 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Garrett came in on Thursday and told the medical staff that his hip was bothering him. He sat out all of practice, and returned to the Browns facility afterwards with his personal physical therapist. He appeared to be walking fine as he walked into the building.
The Browns are certainly counting on him to help them beat the Bengals on Sunday.
Their $40 million-a-year man, Garrett has notched 13 sacks for 113.5 yards in his 12 games against the Bengals, including the nine of Burrow.
He’s also forced two fumbles, including a strip-sack of Burrow.
“He can win the game if you let him,” Burrow said Wednesday. “You have to, No. 1, gameplan around him. No. 2, as a quarterback, you have to be aware of where he’s at at all times with protection IDs and also know where your quick answer is in whatever concept you have called.
“Because sometimes he’s back there before you can catch the ball, basically, and you have to get it out. But we play great rushers a lot. He’s one of the best, if not the best. But in this division, you plays guys like that a lot. We’ll have a good plan for him. He’s going to make plays. And when he does, you gotta hold on the ball and not make a bad play worse.”
Garrett, the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is part of a defensive line that Browns defensive coordinator believes might be the best he’s had in his three seasons here.
“I think they have the makings of that,” Schwartz said. “I think one of the biggest things is we’re able to play a true form of attack now because of those (defensive tackles) and we have improved players. I think Isaiah McGuire had a good year last year. I think he’s improved over that. Alex (Wright) is as good as I’ve seen him.
Guys like Cam (Thomas) adding Joe Tryon(-Shoyinka), a lot of speed there. Defensive tackles getting some young blood in there. I think we have the makings of it, but when it’s all said and done, we got to prove it on the field. I like where we’re going, but let’s not crown ‘em just yet."
First, they need to know that their king is back 100% healthy.
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