Cleveland Browns Top Draft Pick is Already Injured

The Cleveland Browns just can’t catch a break.

The long-suffering NFL franchise seemed to finally be working to right the ship after years spent rudderless and lost in the purgatory of last place finishes.

Much-maligned quarterback Brock Osweiler – an offseason acquisition via trade – has been impressing the coaching staff and may be able to stabilize a position that has long been a revolving door.

By virtue of finishing dead last in the 2016 standings at 1-15, the Browns received the first-round pick in the NFL Draft which they used on Texas A&M defensive lineman Myles Garrett.

Garrett was the consensus top pick in the draft and was predicted by many to be the best defender from the Aggies since Denver Broncos wrecking ball linebacker Von Miller was drafted second overall in 2011.

But these are the Browns and before training camp has even opened, there is already trouble in paradise.

Garrett injured his foot during mini-camp drills on Wednesday and the long-term prognosis is unknown. It was the second foot injury of the offseason for Garrett.

According to ESPN “Browns top pick Myles Garrett injures foot during practice”:

Defensive end Myles Garrett, the draft’s first overall pick, went to the ground in pain after a pass rush during team drills in the Cleveland Browns’ minicamp practice on Wednesday.

Coach Hue Jackson spoke to the media immediately after practice and could not assess if the injury was serious.

“That’s part of the game,” Jackson said. “Obviously I don’t want to get any of our players nicked, hurt, any of that. But hopefully things will be fine. We don’t want to lose any player, especially not one of our really good players.

“But hopefully things will be OK, and I think they will be. I don’t know that for sure but we’ll find out as I go inside.”

Garrett was working with the backup defense during a two-minute drill. He got off the line quickly and beat the right tackle as he rushed quarterback Brock Osweiler. The play was whistled for a sack, but Garrett landed on his left foot after he had extended toward Osweiler.

He immediately went to the ground, kneeling with his head on the ground. Trainers checked him and he limped to the sidelines, where he again had his left foot checked without his shoe.

Considering how slowly that foot injuries heal, it may not bode well for the Browns who were counting on Garrett to provide an immediate boost on the defensive side of the ball.

You can probably forgive Cleveland fans if they are feeling like their team is cursed.