D-line finally healthy, whole
Shelton, Garrett expected to play against Jets.
Thedefensivelineof BEREA— theBrownsisfinallyexpected to be at full strength Sunday becausetackleDannyShelton and rookie endMyles Garrett are set to return from injuries to face the visiting New York Jets.
“Me and Myles haven’t been able to play with each other yet at the same time,” said Shelton, who sat out the final three exhibition games with a knee injury but returned in time for the regular season. “Iwas injured duringpreseason, andhewas out there. Andthenwhenhe was injured, Iwas out there. So it’s going to be great.”
Shelton returned to practice Thursday on a limited basis and said he didn’t feel any pain or discomfort after sitting out for aweek with an injured left calf. He suffered the injury Sept. 27 during practice and missed the first regular-season game of his NFL career Sunday, a 31-7 loss totheCincinnatiBengals.
“That sucked, man. Never want to miss a game,” said Shelton, the 12thoveralldraft pick in 2015. “It was tough, but at the same time, I see where the coaches are looking atmy best interest. Iwas cool with it, but at the same time, I was hurt because I wanted to be out there with my guys.”
SUNDAY’SGAME
Jets at Browns, 1p.m., Fox, AM1290, News 95.7WHIO
Pregameradio coverage begins at noon
TheNo. 1overallpickinthis year’s draft, Garrett returned to practice Sept. 28 for the first time since he suffered a right high-ankle sprain Sept. 6 that forced him to miss the first fourgamesof the season. He also practiced Wednesday and Thursday on a limited basis, and he’s finally on the verge of making his NFL regular-season debut.
Coach Hue Jackson said the Browns (0-4) will limit Garrett’s snaps against the Jets (2-2). So it shouldn’t be a surprise if defensive coordinator GreggWilliams uses Garrett as a pass-rushspecialist instead of an every-down end in his first game.
“I’m surewe will have him on a pitch count,” Jackson said. “He is just now getting back to practice aweek ago. He has put together a week of practice, but still, he has beenoffforquite awhile, too. We have to be smart about our expectations of him this weekend.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on Myles. Our football teamhas to play well, but can he help? Yes. He is a really good player, but we all have to play well. Then he has to do his part in the game and do his job.”
Although Jackson is tempering expectations for Garrett’s premiere, his teammates are giddy.
“He’llhavea lotofimpact,” Shelton said. “So we’re just focusing on being dominant up front, sowe can help out the team.”
Linebacker Jamie Collins will likely remain idle this weekend, though. Collins is still in the NFL’s concussion protocol, Jackson said. Collins suffered a concussion Sept. 17 against the Baltimore Ravens and has missed the past two games.
Jackson said Collins hasn’t been cleared for exercise yet, let alone a return to the field.
“I think we are closer to that phase than we were a weekago,” Jacksonsaidwhen asked if Collins has received approval forphysical activity.