Myles Garrett gave a pretty clear description of how he felt in Week 9 when he recorded three sacks over four games.

Garrett was in labor throughout the first month of her pregnancy after dealing with multiple injuries, from both her feet to her Achilles to her calf. Cleveland Browns season. On many occasions, Garrett had to play extended periods of time on the sideline, either to recover from discomfort or to take a knee. He even spent some time in the blue medical tent; Neither scenario was unique to Cleveland’s star pass rusher.

In Week 2, Garrett missed more than 39% of the team’s defensive snaps. A week later he missed almost half of it. However, his conditioning improved as the season progressed and he played over 80% of the snaps in Weeks 7 and 8. He then shot over 77% in Week 9 and racked up a remarkable three sacks in four games.

On a scale of 1 to 10, Garrett believes September is at a six. Two months later, this number increased.

“Six to eight,” Garrett said of where he is now. “It wasn’t a consistent six (at the time). There were ups and downs. It was definitely tough because it was very inconsistent, from game to game, day to day, dealing with something. So for the most part I’m just happy to get over the top and start playing good football.”

The bye week also helped Garrett’s recovery. And as he prepares for the second half of the season — which features eight more games, including four in the always physical AFC North division — he feels ready to further contribute to the performances that helped him earn Defensive Player of the Year honors a season ago. .

“I want to make plays for my team,” Garrett said. “I want to win games and I know that if I go out there and I feel good, at least I feel like myself, I can go out there and change the game for us. So we want to get back to that. That’s why we’ve got these four things that are as devastating as blocking kicks and making TFLs.” “In the game, I want to get the ball out, take those strip sacks and put them back.”

Garrett is taking a one-game-at-a-time approach for what remains of the 2024 season. Right now, that means focusing on the team’s Week 11 matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

No matter how good he feels right now, he knows his injuries could have lasting effects once the season ends.

“Things are getting better, but there are still some things that need to be resolved in the offseason,” Garrett said. “Without looking too far into the future with all this, we’ll have a game coming soon, but it’s just at the beginning.”