Throughout Sunday night’s 20-6 win over the Giants NBC’s cameras showed Browns defensive end Myles Garrett gasping for air.
In the locker room after the game, Garrett said that he found himself coughing uncontrollably.
“Taking those deep big breaths are tough right now with the shortness of breath and that turning into a cough or getting choked up,” Garrett said.
Garrett revealing his coughing fit explained a Tweet he sent after the game.
“I am not one to really know exactly what he is going through, and I have not been in his shoes, but I get tired when I chase down Nick [Chubb] so I know his job is not easy,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said.
The 2017 No. 1 pick refuses to allow the effects of the virus to keep him off the field.
“You just have to find a way. It is about desire,” Garrett said. “It does not matter how I feel, I have to do something on the field. When I get off of the field, I can catch my breath and maybe go see someone and try to work with someone. Hopefully, if we make it to the playoffs, I can try to get myself to as close to 100 percent as possible.”
Despite the difficulty breathing, Garrett was able to split a sack with Larry Ogunjobi in the final minute to up his 2020 sack total to an even 11.
“It’s bound to affect your lungs, and I feel like I need those to be out there and give my full effort,” Garrett said. “It is hard to make a move or do something that you know is going to expend a lot of energy, knowing that you have to do it again the next play and the next play. It kind of throws off what I am doing, but just have to go out there and make it happen. Today, we did. Me and Larry were able to get on the board with the second-to-last play.
“It is tough. I am trying not to think about it during the game. Just make sure I get as much oxygen as I can and keep rolling.”
In addition to the half sack, Garrett was credited with a QB hit and four tackles.
“He had a few good rushes in there,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “The quarterback was getting the ball out pretty quick so did not have a ton of opportunities. He is coming along. He looks like Myles to me.
I understand that he is working his way back, but I think he is looking pretty good to me.”
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