The Cleveland Browns could be without two of their star pass rushers in their Week 2 contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The Browns had concerning injury news earlier in the week before they announced more with Za’Darius Smith and Myles Garrett on Thursday.
Smith and Garrett did not have an injury designation on Wednesday’s injury report. Garrett and Smith each recorded one sack against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. The Cowboys pulled off a 33-17 upset on the Browns. The Browns need to bounce back this week against the Jaguars.
Za’Darius Smith and Myles Garrett are injured
Per the Browns’ injury report on Thursday, Smith popped up on the injury report for a back injury. Garrett is dealing with a knee injury. Both veteran pass rushers did not participate in practice on Thursday.
Those injuries are a big concern for the Browns defense. They need both pass rushers available and effective on Sunday to keep Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence off schedule. It would appear their status is somewhat murky for Week 2.
The Browns will release their final injury report on Friday.
The Browns have three pass rushers behind Smith and Garrett on the 53-man roster. Alex Wright, Ogbo Okronkwo, and Isaiah McGuire could be asked to play more snaps against the Jaguars.
The Browns have defensive end Luji Vilain on the practice squad, he could be elevated for Sunday if the Browns need extra help on the exterior defensive line.
The Cleveland Browns are hopeful that Smith and Garrett will play
Per May Kay Cabot with Cleveland.com, the Browns do not believe Smith and Garrett have serious injuries:
The injuries are not believed to be serious and both players are mostly experiencing soreness in those areas. As of now, they’re still both expected to face the Jaguars and quarterback Trevor Lawrence on Sunday in Jacksonville.
While the Browns expect both players to play on Sunday, it’s unclear if the soreness they’re experiencing could become an issue during the game.
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