The Falcons are coming off the first win of the 2022 season and will host the Browns with an excellent chance to get back to a .500 record. Atlanta will welcome Cleveland without their starting quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is still serving his suspension after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Moreover, the Browns could be without two of the most feared edge defenders in football — Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney.
Clowney missed the Browns’ Week 3 win over the Steelers with an ankle injury suffered in Cleveland’s Week 2 loss to the Jets. And though Kevin Stefanski hasn’t ruled him out yet, he certainly won’t be 100% this week. But the more impactful player and arguably the best defender in football is Garrett. The former No. 1 overall pick will try to play in the team’s Week 4 matchup in Atlanta after being involved in a single car crash earlier in the week.
Obviously, nobody wishes injury upon any professional athlete, and we’re all thankful Garrett and his passenger were able to walk away from the horrific crash with minor injuries. The All-Pro defender ended up spraining his shoulder and bicep with other cuts and bruises. Walking away with no serious injuries is one thing, but to play in a live football game less than a week later is another thing entirely.
If the Browns were smart, they wouldn’t force Garrett to play, but sometimes it’s impossible to hold this level of athlete back. Still, if both impactful defenders are unable to go Sunday, the Falcons are the beneficiary.
Atlanta’s offense has completely turned things around in its second season under Arthur Smith. They rank near or in the top ten in every significant offensive category, particularly the rushing facet of the offense. And fortunately for ’90s football fans, the Browns also possess an imposing rushing attack. This Week 4 battle will be physical and won in the trenches, so if Garrett and Clowney can’t go, that’ll be a significant advantage for Atlanta.
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