BEREA, Ohio — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
As the Cleveland Browns began their preparations for their first preseason game of 2021, they were without their top defensive player; All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett sat out the team's practice on Tuesday with what head coach Kevin Stefanski called a hamstring injury.
According to Stefanski, Garrett is considered "day-to-day" heading into Cleveland's preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.
While Garrett's injury doesn't appear to be serious, any time missed by the No. 1 pick of the 2017 NFL Draft could prove critical. Entering the 2021 campaign, the Browns are hopeful that Garrett will be able to build on a 2020 season in which he totaled 12 sacks and four forced fumbles in 14 games en route to being named a first-team All-Pro.
Expectations for the 25-year-old Garrett have only been amplified by the arrival of another former first overall pick, Jadeveon Clowney, who Cleveland signed to a one-year contract earlier this offseason. In addition to Clowney, the Browns have also bolstered their defense through the free agent signings of safety John Johnson III, nickelback Troy Hill, defensive tackle Malik Jackson and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., as well as the draft selections of cornerback Greg Newsome II and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
While Garrett missed Tuesday's practice, however, Cleveland's defense did receive a boost in the form of the return of Walker, who had previously been dealing with a knee injury.