Garrett to make pro debut for Browns
Last year’s No. 1 overall NFL draft pick, quarterback Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams, didn’t play until Week 11.
This year’s top pick, defensive end Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, makes his pro debut this Sunday in Week 5, at home against the New York Jets.
Goff didn’t play any earlier than mid-November because thenRams head coach Jeff Fisher said he wasn’t ready. No one has said that about Garrett. He was just hurt for the past month. Browns head coach Hue Jackson announced Friday that Garrett is a full go after sitting out four weeks with a high ankle sprain suffered four days before Cleveland’s opener against Pittsburgh. Garrett returned to practice this week, looked great, and isn’t even listed on the Browns’ injury report.
Garrett is viewed as a rare, onceevery-few-years edge-rushing talent, a player so promising that pre-draft prognosticators agreed there was no way the Browns could justify trading down, for almost any player. The kid apparently is that good. Even by first-round NFL standards, Garrett possesses an uncommon mix of speed, power, physicality and instincts, all wrapped by a desire to dominate.
Is Jackson as excited to see Garrett play as the rest of us?
“Let’s get to the game and make sure he is out there and going,” Jackson said, laughing. “No, it is exciting … we are looking for any spark, opportunity — somebody that can continue to raise the bar for our team. That is what we need.” Extra points: Minnesota QB Sam Bradford practised again Friday on a limited basis. The Vikings are due to announce Saturday whether he is out or questionable for Monday night’s game at Chicago. Bradford said Friday he’s “hopeful” he’ll be cleared to play, albeit with discomfort in his injured left knee … The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reportedly have lined up as many as five placekickers for tryouts to replace Nick Folk, who missed three field goals in the Bucs’ 19-14 loss Thursday to New England.