Browns Star Myles Garrett Sends 3-Word Message on Loss to Lions
Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett could demand a trade, again.
Losing is disappointing.
That is the short but telling answer that Cleveland Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett gave to start his media availability on Sunday evening after his team was upended 34-10 by the Detroit Lions in week four. Garrett and the Browns now drop to 1-3 after the loss.
Cleveland hung around until the fourth quarter, keeping the Lions lead to just 10 points as they entered the home stretch, but the Lions were able to sneak across two touchdowns while the Browns offense fell flat to finish the game.
Although defense wasn’t Cleveland’s ultimate downfall as they limited Detroit’s potent run game relatively well, the 34 allowed points didn’t give them much of a chance to upset the Lions.
“We didn’t do well enough,” Garrett said of the defensive unit. “We pride ourselves on being better than we showed, and we are.”
Garrett himself was uncharacteristically quiet, registering just two tackles without any real impact plays. He did deliver two hits on Lions’ QB Jared Goff, but his difficulties breaking through were a big reason for the Browns’ defensive shortcomings on Sunday.
“There’s always more you can do,” Garrett said. “Find a way to be effective and productive. Today you can’t point a finger at anyone. You’ve just got to focus on yourself and how you can execute better.”
Browns’ Offense Remains Too Stagnant To Have Success
The Joe Flacco experience in Cleveland may be close to running it’s course as the Browns drop to 1-3 after Sunday’s loss to the Lions. Flacco was brought in as a veteran who head coach Kevin Stefanski thought could deliver responsible high-floor, low-ceiling play as rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders sat under him to learn, but Flacco’s play so far has left a lot to be desired.
The 40-year-old has completed well under 60 percent of his pass attempts, while he has a poor TD-INT ratio at 2-to-6. Among starters across the NFL, Flacco’s QBR of 60.3 is the worst in the league by a wide margin.
Obviously this isn’t a team that’s pushing for a playoff spot this season and you don’t want to thrust a rookie QB into a bad situation, but Flacco just flat out isn’t working for the Browns offense. It may be time for Stefanski to look down the depth chart and think about moving on from Flacco at this juncture in the season.
Browns’ Schedule Not Getting Easier
After taking on four teams who project to make the playoffs to start the season, Cleveland won’t get an breaks coming up. The Browns will take on Minnesota and Pittsburgh the next two weeks and still have games against Baltimore, Buffalo, San Francisco, Chicago and New England remaining.
According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Browns have the second most difficult schedule in the NFL this season, with the only team ahead of them being the New York Giants. For a team that is already off to a 1-3 start, it feels like Cleveland may have to push hard to even eclipse four wins.
Something’s got to change and soon if Cleveland wants to have any chance of salvaging this season.
Steelers Get Bad Injury Updates on Jalen Ramsey, Calvin Austin III: Report
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac reported Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey and wide receiver Calvin Austin III sustained significant injuries.
The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be getting their bye week at an opportune time. But cornerback Jalen Ramsey and wide receiver Calvin Austin III are likely to need more than one week to heal from injuries they sustained in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings.
That’s what The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported Monday. Dulac tweeted very early in the morning that Ramsey and Austin “are expected to miss at least several games.”
Ramsey suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s matchup in Dublin, Ireland. The veteran cornerback tried to return to the game but Dulac reported his return “didn’t work out.”
Austin exited the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury. The receiver received further evaluation at the hospital.
Steelers can use the bye: CB Jalen Ramsey (hamstring) and WR Calvin Austin III (shoulder) are expected to miss at least several games. Ramsey tried to return vs Vikings, but didn’t work out.
Steelers Lose Jalen Ramsey, Getting Thin at CB
There was a bit of irony with Ramsey suffering his hamstring injury. On the first Steelers defensive possession of the game, the veteran cornerback “mimed” a hamstring ailment during a touchdown celebration.
Like the hamstring issue, the touchdown wasn’t real, as the officials ruled the fumble Ramsey returned out of bounds before he picked it up. Ramsey didn’t get another opportunity at a return touchdown but did suffer a real hamstring injury.
Without the former All-Pro, depth veteran cornerbacks Brandin Echols and James Pierre, along with starter Darius Slay, played a lot for the Steelers late in the fourth quarter. During Ramsey’s absence, the Steelers gave up an 81-yard reception to Jordan Addison.
If there’s any good news about the Steelers secondary, it’s that other players are getting healthy. Safety DeShon Elliott returned Sunday. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. didn’t but he was at least questionable to play in Ireland.
Injury setbacks are always possible, but Porter appears to have a strong chance to play in Pittsburgh’s next game after the bye week.
The question, though, is how long will the “several games” prognosis Dulac reported actually be? If the Steelers place Ramsey on injured reserve, he won’t be eligible to play again until November 9.
Among cornerbacks who have played at least half their team’s defensive snaps through four weeks, Pro Football Focus has Ramsey rated as the Steelers top cornerback. The PFF player grades also have Ramsey ranked as the No. 5 cornerback in the entire league.
In four games this season, Ramsey has posted 14 combined tackles, four pass defenses and one interception.
Calvin Austin III Sends Message on Injury Status
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told the media after Sunday’s game Austin had a shoulder injury. Tomlin added “he thinks” Austin was at the hospital getting treatment.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor basically confirmed that report, posting on X she saw Austin getting into an ambulance. Pryor also wrote that Austin’s arm was in a sling.
Austin addressed the injury with his own post on X at about 3 pm ET on Sunday.
“Great Dub in Dublin! I’m all good Steelers Nation, appreciate the messages and concern!”
Great Dub in Dublin! I’m all good Steelers Nation, appreciate the messages and concern!
If Dulac is correct, though, “all good” doesn’t appear to mean Austin will be ready to go after the bye week.
Should Austin have to miss time, Pittsburgh’s receiver depth will be tested. The Steelers have unproven Roman Wilson and veterans Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek on their receiver depth chart behind DK Metcalf.
On Sunday, pundits begun speculating if the Steelers could pursue outside options. Two of the better free agents available are Odell Beckham Jr. and Diontae Johnson.
Neither inspire a lot of confidence. Beckham will turn 33 in November, and he received just 18 targets in nine games with the Miami Dolphins last season.
The Steelers traded Johnson in March 2024. Since then, four other teams have parted ways with the veteran receiver. It’s unlikely the Steelers would give him another chance.
Maybe a trade for a receiver is possible. But whether general manager Omar Khan pursues that could depend on how long Austin will be sidelined.
Austin has 10 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns this season.
The Steelers’ next game will be against the Cleveland Browns on October 12.
