The Cleveland Browns have decided on their starting quarterback but might have a more pressing concern on the defensive side of the ball.
Browns superstar pass-rusher Myles Garrett was the only player who did not practice on Wednesday as the team geared up to fly to London. He’s been by far the most impactful player on the Browns‘ roster. Garrett has recorded 4.0 sacks, eight QB hits, and a league-leading eight tackles for loss through four games.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was vague when asked about Garrett’s status moving forward.
“Well, he’s not practicing today. I call him day-to-day,” Stefanski said.
Garrett logged his typical amount of playing time during a 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions. He was on the field for 80% of the defensive snaps. The good news for the Browns is that Garrett is no stranger to playing through injury. Despite dealing with multiple ailments over the years, Garrett has usually gutted it out. His last missed game due to injury was in 2022 after he flipped his car.
Myles Garrett Sets Tone for Stellar Browns Defense
The Browns boast a championship-caliber defense, holding opponents to just 222.5 yards per game. It all begins with Garrett up front — a game-wrecker every opponent builds its game plan around.
“Every team goes into playing us and says we have to have a plan for No. 95 and like we talked about, it can be sliding to him all the time. It could be making sure there’s a tight end over there or running back,” Stefanski said. “That, you know is their prerogative, what they want to do.
“I guess the point is he plays through all that and we use him in a variety of ways and then it does, the impact that it has on the other players. It’s why he’s the Defensive Player of the Year, just for perpetuity, in my opinion.”
Garrett has posted four straight seasons with 14 or more sacks and looks well on his way to another one.
Browns Make QB Change, Bench Joe Flacco
The most notable change the Browns are making this week is benching Joe Flacco and replacing the 40-year-old with rookie Dillon Gabriel. Flacco had turned the ball over eight times in four starts — six interceptions and two lost fumbles. It put the defense in some tough positions.
Stefanski admitted that turnovers were a major factor in the decision.
“We need to be better at taking care of the football. We are minus six in the NFL, we’re 32nd in turnover margin and that’s very difficult to overcome,” Stefanski said.
Gabriel has a decorated college resume but will get his first NFL opportunity in London against the Minnesota Vikings. The third-round pick feels prepared for the opportunity.
“It’s a moment you prep for, and you are extremely excited for, but also got to realize that it’s extreme focus and that’s what I’ve continued to harp on,” Gabriel said. “But if you wait for the perfect time, you’re going to wait a whole lifetime. So, for me, I’ve always been ready for every moment.”
Gabriel and the Browns are a 3.5-point underdog for the matchup, per ESPN BET.
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