The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Garrett could make debut against Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are getting one of their best defensive players back just in time to face the Browns on Oct. 1 in FirstEnergy Stadium.
As practice began on Sept. 27 in Berea, the Browns were not as fortunate — but their luck might be changing.
Defensive end Myles Garrett, who has yet to play this season because of a sprained right ankle, was on the exercise bike while his teammates began preparation for the Battle of Ohio between the two 0-3 teams. Linebacker Jamie Collins is still recovering from a concussion.
Coach Hue Jackson announced Garrett might practice before the end of the week, however, and if he does, Jackson will be ready to unleash the first pick of the 2017 draft
on Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton.
“He just needs to practice,” Jackson said. “If he is able to play, he might not play the whole game. We’ ll just see how that unfolds. We’ll find out more as we go through the week.”
Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s fire-breathing linebacker, Vontaze Burfict, is back for the Bengals after serving a three-game suspension for a vicious hit on Packers fullback Anthony Sherman in preseason. Jackson expects Burfict to be “extra ornery” after being forced to miss the first three games and not being paid for them.
“He’s just ornery anyway,” Jackson said. “That’s just who he is. He’s a good player. He loves football. He’s kind of the straw that stirs the drink for the defense.
“He’s the type of football player you want. He plays the game with everything he has. Every now and then he’s right on the line. Obviously, in the National Football League, you get in trouble for going across the line, but he plays it like you want it played.”
Burfict likes to hit first and complain later if officials flag him for unnecessary roughness. He was suspended the first three games of 2016 for a blow to the head of Steelers’ receiver Antonio Brown (and accumulated player’s safety rules violations) in a playoff game in the 2015 season. He was fined $25,000 for twisting the ankles of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and Panthers tight end Greg Olson in a game with Carolina on Oct. 10, 2014.
Browns rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer has already been sacked 10 times. He has rushed 17 times. Kizer will not shy away from contact, which means he could be a moving target — or a prone target — for Burfict.
“It’s the ref’s job to make sure that the quarterback is protected when he does slide, and it’s my job to make sure that I (avoid) as many hits as I possibly can,” Kizer said. “I’m sure that after this little time off that he learned somewhat of a lesson, but if he hasn’t, I just have to make sure that I’m protecting myself.
“He’s their spark. He’s their energy. He’s definitely one of their key guys on that side. Every week, it’s our job to stop their key players. He’s definitely a guy to be eyeing.”
Ryan Shazier and T.J. Watt of the Steelers were flagged for unnecessary roughness for hits on Kizer in the opener. Colts rookie safety Malik Hooker was called for roughing the passer and cornerback Darius Butler was called for unnecessary roughness after Kizer scrambled for 13 yards in the fourth quarter in Indianapolis.