BEREA, OHIO (TheOBR.com) - There has been a sense of uncertainty since the Cleveland Browns issued the injury report Thursday night that six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett did not miss practice due to a rest day, but rather an injury to his hip.
Garrett was back on the practice field on Friday and moving well in individual drills during the portion of practice that was open to the media. Garrett was not given a game status, so he will play.
“Feel ready to go,” Garrett said after practice on Friday. “Had some pain (Thursday). I’m good today.”
Garrett has performed well against Joe Burrow and the Bengals in his career and it would be hard to see Garrett not playing against the Bengals on Sunday in the season opener.
Garrett has played through injuries many times before with the Browns, as he’s only missed two games since the 2020 season.
Garrett won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023 and has had some of his best games against the Bengals.
He has had 13 sacks, including his most against an individual quarterback with nine on Burrow in 12 games.
Garrett has at least 14 sacks in each of the past four seasons, and he’s the only active NFL player with eight straight double-digit sack seasons.
“He can win the game if you let him,” Burrow said earlier this week.
In 2024, Garrett had 14 sacks, as well as a league-high 22 tackles for loss.
After a turbulent beginning to the offseason when Garrett asked to be traded, the Browns came together and Garrett received a four-year, $160 million contract extension in February.
Garrett’s re-commitment to the Browns caused the team to make some additions on the defensive line.
BOLSTERING THE DEFENSIVE LINE
The Browns signed 10-year veteran defensive tackle Maliek Collins as a starting interior player. Collins is considered one of the league’s best interior rushers.
Another big addition was when the Browns traded down on draft day and selected Michigan’s Mason Graham with the No. 5 overall pick. Graham is expected to pair with Collins to give the Browns a formidable interior pass rush and to help take some of the pressure off of Garrett on the outside.
Those two starting additions on the inside, along with the potential the team sees in tackle Michael Hall Jr., the growth in ends Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire. The Browns also signed edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Cameron Thomas. Also the emergence of undrafted free agent tackle Adin Huntington, has Cleveland believing its front can go toe to toe with anyone.
“Our defensive line is much, much improved over last year,” defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said on Thursday.
Extra Points
Hall Out: DT Michael Hall Jr practiced again on Friday for the second-straight day. He was a limited participant in practice on Thursday, which was the first time he practiced since offseason knee surgery.
Hall was officially ruled out for the game.
“He’s progressing really well,” he said. “It’s all part of the plan in his progression.”
Appears Ready to Go: None of the players on the active roster were on the game status report, so all are expected to play on Sunday, with the exception of Hall. C Ethan Pocic (knee) was a full participant on Thursday after being limited Wednesday.
Undrafted rookie LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (Achilles) was back practicing on Friday after not practicing on Thursday, but was on a stationary bike on the side.
LB Mohamoud Diabate was limited again with a quadriceps issue, but is expected to play.
“You want to have your full complement of players to start the season,” Stefanski said.
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