CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Myles Garrett is feeling better but still hasn’t fully recovered from having COVID-19.
The Browns’ star defensive end said Friday that he has been “doing breathing treatments” and conditioning on his own to try to return to form but it hasn’t been easy.
“I am not sure how long it is going to take me to feel completely 100 with my wind,” Garrett said. Physically strength wise, I feel normal. It is just about trying not to gas out too early and trying to pace myself, knowing that it can jump on me really quickly.”
Garrett, who is unaware of how he contracted the virus, was forced to miss two games before returning on Dec. 6 against Tennessee.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski believes Garrett looks like he is returning to form.
“The more he gets away from that and gets his wind back and all of those things, I think he has looked better and better,” Stefanski said. “He had a good week of practice.”
Garrett, who is third in the league with 10 1/2 sacks, is a physical specimen of health but continues to fight the effects from having COVID-19.
His message Friday was simple: the virus is as dangerous as advertised.
“I just think people are so caught up in conspiracies and trying to downplay it that they do not actually see that it can be serious in different ways,” Garrett said. “Talk about how there are not many cases of people dying from it, but that is not all it is about. There are cases of people having the mental illnesses just as an effect of COVID, heart problems, lung issues and being hospitalized for days and weeks on end. There are so many things that come with being diagnosed with COVID or testing positive for COVID.
“You have to take it seriously. This is something that is going stay with you for a while – you do not know how long – but you just have to take care of yourself and do what you have to do to stay healthy. Whether it is affecting your head, your heart or your lungs, do what you can to bounce back. I am trying to take it as seriously as possible so I can be back correct for us in this game, end of the season and hopefully, in the playoffs.”
The 2017 No. 1 overall pick hopes his bout with the virus serves as a cautionary tale for those who don’t believe it can do harm.
“I do not think anybody should think they are the bulletproof or just because you are asymptomatic that it will not have any effect on you down the line,” Garrett said. “This is something new that nobody has ever seen before. You just have try to stay away from it if you can. If you do have it, stay away from others, make sure you try to go to the doctor and do what you can to keep this from hospitalizing you or causing further issues for yourself or your family.”
Getting Desperate – Sunday night’s game in New York is a big one for both teams.
The Browns need to win to secure their 10th victory, earn a key tiebreaker against Miami, maintain their one-game lead on the fast-charging Ravens and position themselves to possibly clinch in Week 16.
The Giants are a game behind the Washington Football Team in the NFC East race.
“I think it is two desperate football teams,” Stefanski said.
“It is two second place teams in their division and two teams that have won four of the last five. We are going play like we are the desperate team.”
Njoku Questionable – Tight end David Njoku was added to the Browns injury report Friday with a knee injury.
Njoku did not practice Friday and is questionable for Sunday night.
“Precautionary,” Stefanski said. “Held him out, but I am optimistic that he will be out there Sunday night.”
Welcome Back – The Browns should get three injured players back Sunday night – cornerback Denzel Ward, tight end Austin Hooper and receiver KhaDarel Hodge.
“I feel good about those guys,” Stefanski said.
Giants Injuries – The Giants officially listed quarterback Daniel jones as questionable with ankle and hamstring injuries. If he can’t go former Brown Colt McCoy will start.
Tight end Evan Engram was added to the report after being limited at practice. He is listed as questionable, too.
New York will be without their top corner James Bradberry, who was placed on reserve/COVID-19 this week.
Injury Report – OUT: S Andrew Sendejo (concussion), RG Wyatt Teller (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: KhaDarel Hodge (hamstring), TE Austin Hooper (neck), CB Kevin Johnson (groin), TE David Njoku (knee), CB Denzel Ward (calf)
EXPECTED TO PLAY: RT Jack Conklin (knee), DT Larry Ogunjobi (toe), CB M.J. Stewart (shoulder), C JC Tretter (knee), DE Myles Garrett (elbow), WR Jarvis Landry (hip)
