CLEVELAND — If Myles Garrett has seemed more tired in recent weeks, you're not mistaken.
Following the Cleveland Browns' 20-6 win over the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football, the star defensive end confirmed that he's still dealing with the effects of his bout with the coronavirus (COVID-19).
“It’s bound to affect your lungs, and I feel like I need those to be out there and give my full effort," Garrett said after tallying four tackles half of a sack against the Giants. "It is hard to make a move or do something that you know is going to expend a lot of energy, knowing that you have to do it again the next play and the next play. It kind of throws off what I am doing, but just have to go out there and make it happen."
After initially being placed on the NFL's reserve/COVID-19 list on Nov. 20, the 24-year-old Garrett went on to miss the Browns' victories over the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars. Although he returned to tally a sack in Cleveland's win over the Tennessee Titans, he was noticeably less disruptive than usual in last week's loss to the Baltimore Ravens and Sunday's win vs. the Giants.
Speaking to reporters on a Zoom call following Sunday night's victory, Garrett revealed he had just gotten over a coughing fit in the locker room.
“I am just getting over a coughing fit from the locker room earlier. I am trying to get some water into my system and be able to breathe," he said. "Taking those deep big breaths are tough right now with the shortness of breath and that turning into a cough or getting choked up. You just have to find a way.
"It is about desire. It does not matter how I feel, I have to do something on the field. When I get off of the field, I can catch my breath and maybe go see someone and try to work with someone. Hopefully, if we make it to the playoffs, I can try to get myself to as close to 100 percent as possible."
Taking to social media, however, the No. 1 pick of the 2017 NFL Draft was more succinct in his assessment of the situation.
"F--- Covid," Garrett posted in a tweet, alongside two emojis that included a pair of lungs.