CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett did not start or play the first defensive series Saturday against the Saints.
Now we know why.
Garrett, a team captain, was benched by Kevin Stefanski.
“That was just a team thing,” Stefanski said Monday. “That was my decision.”
As is customary under Stefanski, the head coach did not elaborate any further than that, but typically a punishment like that is the result of a violation of a team rule or rules.
Chase Winovich started in place of Garrett while Alex Wright started for Jadeveon Clowney, sidelined with a concussion.
Garrett, who missed two days of practice last week due to an illness, took the field for the second defensive series and played 36 of 54 defensive snaps in the 17-10 loss to New Orleans that eliminated the Browns from playoff contention.
Garrett is not the first defensive player to be disciplined this season by Stefanski.
Earlier this season safety Grant Delpit was held back for the opening defensive snap, costing him a start, and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey was disciplined. The rookie was sent home and not permitted to practice before being a healthy scratch for a game.




