The Myles Garrett who Browns fans saw throughout the preseason is getting closer and closer to being the one they see on Sundays during the regular season.
After Garrett increased his snaps from 19 to 33 in last week's loss to the Texans, Browns coach Hue Jackson said the No. 1 pick is "very close" to being back to 100 percent. He'll play in his third game since returning from a high ankle sprain Sunday against the Titans.
"I think he has obviously made the progress over the last two weeks," Jackson said. "He hasn't had any setbacks after the games and I think he has felt better after the games, so hopefully he can play more this week. I think that is the goal."
Even in relatively limited action at less than 100 percent, Garrett has made an impact on a Browns defense that struggled to generate a consistent pass rush during his absence. He registered two sacks in his debut and followed with another one against the Texans. He also made a number of plays in the run game and pressured quarterback Deshaun Watson on a pass that wound up intercepted and returned for a touchdown.
"He is in that window – when you start back playing again, you can see him starting to truly get back into where he was before," Jackson said. "The speed, the quickness, the hand placement, the movement in his body, so he is doing some good things and he just has to continue to get better. I think we all know there is a whole 'nother level for him in there and so, I think he will keep pushing and keep working at it."
Asked if he felt 100 percent, Garrett said he was "somewhat there."
"I feel like you can expect better," Garrett said. "Just going to keep on progressing throughout the season so hopefully my snaps improve as well."
-- Jabrill Peppers was a limited participant in Thursday's practice after missing Wednesday's with a toe injury.
Peppers brushed off the issue and said he'd be good to go Sunday against the Titans. The rookie safety has played nearly every snap this season while serving as the team's punt and kick returner.
Linebacker James Burgess Jr. (knee) did not practice for a second consecutive day. He suffered the injury late in the action Week 5 and missed last week's game against the Texans.
-- Jackson said he doesn't believe his play-calling inside the red zone has been too aggressive. It's been about execution for the Browns, who have thrown numerous interceptions and come away with no points far too many times for the coach's liking.
Jackson said Wednesday he'd run the ball every down if the team can't show more discipline on its passing plays. Ultimately, though, that wouldn't be winning football, he said.
"We have had our opportunities. It would be different if the plays that are called are not there," Jackson said. "I think our guys can do these things because I see us do it on a practice field. The disappointing part is we haven't been able to do it in a game. I will make that judgment as we go of kind of where are we. You don't want to take a quarterback and make him afraid to make a play, but at the same time, you have to be team-protecting, too. That is my battle."
