BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Linebacker Anthony Walker is the latest brown to undergo surgery plus defensive end Myles Garrett, lauded by everyone as a defensive player of the year candidate, spoke about his sack drought and a big weekend in Houston.
Here’s our top Brownie Bites from Friday.
More bad news – Walker underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee Thursday and will be evaluated week-to-week the team said Friday. Walker was ruled out for Sunday’s game and it is unclear when he will return. “Big loss,” linebacker Sione Takitaki said. “He’s a captain on the defensive side, leader, one of those vocal guys that keeps everything in line. We’ll feel his loss, but we’ll make sure that everybody else picks up.” Walker is a key figure within the Browns locker room as well as on the field. He was named the Browns 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for his work in the community. He also received the Ed Block Courage award following his recovery from quadriceps surgery in 2022. Walker has four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, two QB hits, a forced fumble and tackle for loss in 12 games this season.
Inspired, not angry – The entire organization seems to be rallying behind Garrett for Defensive Player of the Year but his candidacy has taken a hit with him being held – literally and figuratively – without a sack over the last four weeks. Stefanski and all three coordinators essentially said this week Garrett is the best in the game right now. “It means a lot to hear that from them,” Garrett said. “I want them to know that it's not for me, it's for this team. It's to help us win and continue our success. It's never about the awards or the praise or the accolades. We want to do this together and take it all the way to the Super Bowl.” Garrett had a sack on a two-point conversion to help seal a victory against Jacksonville, but for some odd reason or rule, it doesn’t count statistically. Garrett has been frustrated by offensive players holding on to him and the lack of penalties but swears he doesn’t get angry after a play. It’s just motivation. “I don't play angry, I play inspired,” Garrett said. “I might get frustrated a little bit, but I'm going to never say I go out there angry at anything or anyone.” Garrett ranks seventh in the NFL with a team-best 13.0 sacks but continues to impact the game with pressure despite not dropping quarterbacks in recent weeks. The award isn’t his focus with the Browns on the cusp of clinching the playoffs. “I think I should stay focused on what's ahead of me and I don't know how those things work as far as voting and candidacy,” Garrett said. “I just want to make sure that this team continues to win and I continue to be a monumental part of that.” Garrett, who is in just his seven has already set the franchise record for career sacks with 87.5 and he trails only T.J. Watt for the most sacks in his first 98 career games in NFL history and he is eyeing more big plays down the stretch. “I think yes, I'm as successful as I have been in the past, but that doesn't mean I can't take it to another level, doesn't mean I can't find ways to improve or help improve the people around me, my teammates,” Garrett said. “Got to continue to find a way to make more explosive plays. That's been, I don't want to say lacking, but a little bit of a shortage of late. But got to continue to get the ball for us and make those plays on defense.” Sunday, Garrett is set to square off with Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil. “The guy is a special talent,” Garrett said. “He has great technique. He's an exceptional athlete. I mean the guy has it all… We've had a lot of run-ins from college up to now, and it'll be fun to test our mettle against each other again.” Tunsil could mean more one-on-one snaps for Garrett, a rarity for him these days. “If history is any teacher, probably not,” Garrett said. “But I know he relishes the opportunity to go one on one, so do I and I look forward to it whether it's known there's a chip or a double or it's just him. We'll see what happens. But I'm expecting all of that.”
Stroud out – Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is out due to a concussion meaning Case Keenum will start in his place. “Case is a smart football player, a veteran, a guy that's good at hitting his shots at certain spots and we're definitely going to have to be aware of him,” Takitaki said. He can go out there and win games. I know it's not Stroud, but you can't sleep on Case. We are real familiar with him and he makes plays at a high level still. So veteran QB, very smart. We're going to have to definitely be ready for him.” Keenum rallied the Texans for a 19-16 overtime win last weekend over the Titans. “I think Case is a great guy. Had a lot of fun over the years he was here,” Garrett said. “Man, he's still a heck of a talent. He's clever and he goes out there enjoying the game every time he out there on the field, whether that's practice or games. I know he'll have a lighthearted demeanor. We'll have to face off but it's no hard feelings.”
Positive step – Left guard Joel Bitonio returned to practice Friday after missing the previous two days due to back spasms. Bitonio was limited according to the team’s injury report and is questionable to play at Houston. “He's going to continue to work through that the next 48 hours,” Stefanski said. “I think it's important to see how he responds. He got a plane ride coming up but he's continuing to fight to make it.” The back spasms forced Bitonio to leave last week’s win over the Bears early and the Browns were down to just one starter on the offensive line – right guard Wyatt Teller. “It is something you think about, but for us, every game's really a playoff game for us,” Bitonio said Thursday. “We're trying to win as many as we can. So for me, if I can play, I'm going to be out there and trying to help the team. But that's something that the training staff and the coaching staff can think about. But for us, I think if you're healthy and you can help the team and you're not going to truly, truly damage yourself, I think most guys want to be out there.”
I know nothing – Kicker Dustin Hopkins is on the doorstep of Browns history but when asked about it Friday he pulled off quite the Sgt. Schultz impersonation. “Don't say anything, okay,” Hopkins said. “Somebody has alluded to something. Okay. I'm sorry, but I don't know specifics and I don't want to know specifics.” Hopkins is six points shy of breaking late Hall of Famer Jim Brown’s franchise single season scoring record. The kicker, who has already broken franchise records for the most field goal makes in a season and makes from 50 yards and beyond, isn’t superstitious or anything. “It's not even superstitious. I don't want to know anything,” Hopkins said. “I'm not big on numbers. I don't really pay attention to stats in season. I'll look at all that post-season or after something happens, somebody will end up telling me and it's like, oh, okay, it's done.” Hopkins’ historic season has been recognized by fans and he continues to lead AFC kickers in Pro Bowl Games voting. “It's special. I'm just grateful,” Hopkins said. “Any opportunity to play this game with a locker room like this is special. But anytime you get a chance to do it after so many years of, it's not why I play, but obviously a goal of any player is to make Pro Bowls, try to be at the top of whatever game or position you're in. So yeah, it's been a goal of mine for 10 plus years, so it's really special that fans would take note of that. And we still have games left to play and we have lot to play for. So once again, I don't want wrapped up in it, but I am thankful that the fans even would consider me.”
Injury report – OUT: LB Anthony Walker (knee), LB Jordan Kunaszyk (calf), DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (pectoral), S Juan Thornhill (calf); QUESTIONABLE: LG Joel Bitonio (back, knee); EXPECTED TO PLAY: DE Myles Garrett (rest, shoulder), WR Amari Cooper (rest), TE David Njoku (rest, knee), RG Wyatt Teller (rest, ankle), QB Joe Flacco (calf), OT Geron Christian (shoulder), RB Jerome Ford (wrist), RB Kareem Hunt (groin), C Ethan Pocic (stinger), C Nick Harris (knee), CB Denzel Ward (shoulder)
