Browns star defender Garrett on COVID-19 list, out for Eagles
CLEVELAND — Myles Garrett has been slowed down just when the Browns need him most.
Cleveland’s dynamic star defensive end and the National Football League’s leader in sacks will miss Sunday’s game against Philadelphia — and maybe more — after testing positive for COVID-19, dealing the Browns a major blow as they try to end an 18-year playoff drought.
The Browns (6-3) won’t have Garrett against the Eagles and there’s no predicting when he’ll be back. According to league rules, a player who tests positive for coronavirus can’t return to the team until at least 10 days after the onset of symptoms, plus at least 24 hours after symptoms have passed.
Garrett stayed home from practice Wednesday and Thursday because he was showing symptoms. After facing the Eagles, the Browns will visit Jacksonville on Nov. 29.
On Thursday, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he expected Garrett to return Friday, However, when the positive test came back, the team followed league-mandated protocols and placed the soon-to-be 25-year-old on the list, which ruled him out for the Philadelphia game.
Garrett, who has 9 1⁄ sacks, 2 won’t get a chance to pad his stats against an Eagles offensive line that has allowed quarterback Carson Wentz to be sacked a league-leading 35 times.
“Obviously, he’s a tremendous football player and he’s definitely in the discussions for Defensive Player of the Year,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Friday after learning about Garrett’s status. “He’s having a heck of a season, leader of that football team. Listen, I can’t speak specifically on their behalf, but I know that, if it was obviously one of our players in that position, it’s a blow.
“Just like us, the next guy steps up, the next guy has to play, next guy is going to be prepared. He’s going to play hard.” Pederson’s right. It is a potentially major setback to the Browns, who have spent the week dealing with virus-related issues. The team placed starting right tackle Jack Conklin, kicker Cody Parkey and fullback Andy Janovich on the COVID list earlier and their availability for Sunday is still in question.
Offensive lineman Chris Hubbard was placed on the list last week after testing positive.
But losing Garrett for any period is especially tough. The No. 1 overall draft pick in 2017 has been playing at an elite level in ’20. He’s changed several games with strip sacks while helping the Browns to their best ninegame record since 2014.
Garrett’s presence alone makes quarterbacks nervous. His ability to turn the corner while rushing off the edge is unique for a player his size, and he has the speed to chase down quarterbacks — as Houston’s Deshaun Watson learned when he barely beat Garrett to the sideline last week.
“Just a tremendous athlete,” Pederson said earlier this week. “Quick off the ball. He is long. He is powerful. He does a great job of swiping at the quarterback’s arm. He knows how to bend..”
Garrett, who signed a fiveyear, $125-million contract extension in July, has been on a mission this season. His 2019 season ended abruptly and amid controversy when was suspended six games by the league for swinging his helmet and striking Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in the head.
Without Garrett, the Browns went 2-4.