Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is currently navigating a challenging period as he deals with multiple injuries affecting both of his feet. The star player underwent an MRI on Monday after re-aggravating his pre-existing foot issues during Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Despite the concerns, the MRI results came back clean, offering some relief to the Browns and their fans.
During the Browns' Week 3 loss, Garrett had to make a visit to the medical tent and engaged closely with the team's trainers. However, demonstrating his resilience and commitment, Garrett returned to the game after his visit to the medical tent. The impact of these injuries has resulted in a noticeable decline in Garrett’s snap count this season. While he was on the field for 76.46% of the Browns' defensive snaps last season, this year that number has dipped to 67.18%.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has declared Garrett "day to day," highlighting the uncertainty that surrounds his immediate playing future. The defensive end himself has hinted at the possibility of needing a procedure "further down the line," though his primary focus remains on playing as long as possible. Garrett said candidly, "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."
Garrett’s visible pain during Sunday’s game was evident as he doubled over and needed assistance walking off the field. He was also seen limping post-game, raising concerns about his condition ahead of the Browns' Week 4 matchup with the Raiders. Despite these setbacks, Garrett remains focused on the present, expressing no immediate worries about his situation. "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," Garrett remarked.
Since the start of the 2021 season, Garrett has proven to be a remarkably durable player, missing just one game due to injury. However, the ongoing issues this season are putting that durability to the test. As the Browns prepare for their upcoming games, all eyes will be on Garrett, not just for his performance on the field but also to see how he manages these persistent injuries.
The Browns and their fans are undoubtedly hoping for Garrett’s swift recovery, recognizing his critical role on the team’s defense. His ability to persevere through this period of adversity and manage his injuries effectively will be crucial as the season progresses. While the clean MRI results offer a glimmer of hope, the path ahead remains uncertain, and Garrett's determination to keep playing underlines his commitment and resilience as one of the NFL’s premier defensive talents.