Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett sounds ready to roll

Cleveland Browns fans probably got a bit nervous when No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett suffered a foot injury in minicamp, but he appears good to go for training camp.

Since returning to the league in 1999, the Cleveland Browns have produced a history of losing. They’ve also had a history of bad luck. From LeCharles Bentley and Gary Baxter to Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr., many players who were expected to be centerpieces have experienced freak injuries.

Therefore, it was understandable for Browns fans to hold their collective breath when pass-rusher and No. 1 overall draft pick Myles Garrett suffered a foot injury in minicamp.

Garrett was hampered by injuries at Texas A&M during the 2016 season—though he was still named first-team All-American and All-SEC—and another injury that early into his NFL career probably had some Browns fans thinking “here we go again.”

However, Garrett made it pretty clear in early July that his ankle was just fine, tweeting out a video of him doing an impressive set of leg presses:

With training camp now underway, Garrett sounds as if he’s ready to dive head first at full speed into the NFL.

The No. 1 overall pick and Texas A&M product told Pat McManamon on ESPN.com that he knew the injury wasn’t too bad relatively early on. What’s more, he added that he was kept out of practices to “protect” him. Garrett doesn’t believe he’ll be at risk of a similar injury once the live games start:

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"“I believe that I planted on (quarterback Brock) Osweiler’s foot while I was coming by,” Garrett said as the Browns prepared for the first practice of training camp open to the public and media. “In the game I won’t have to worry about it. I won’t be running by him. I’ll be taking him down.”"

Garrett definitely hasn’t lost any confidence in the months since being made the top pick in the draft. While he’s no longer listing off quarterbacks he’d like to face, Garrett is setting high expectation for himself. At the same time, though, he’s looking at those expectations in a realistic light. He had this to say to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com:

"“I mean Defensive Rookie of the Year would be a nice way to go. Maybe Rookie of the Year, but first I’ve got to get to the first team. I’ve got to put some work in. But until then, I’m just keeping my head down, keeping my mouth closed and listening. Keep on working.”"

It’s not every day that an NFL rookie comes into the league with both extreme confidence and a top-level work ethic. Garrett has both, essentially making him the polar opposite of former first-round picks Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel.

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Garrett comes across as a player Browns fans should be proud to root for. With the season quickly approaching, he also appears to be a player whose health and preparedness no one should question.