Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett will serve as the team captain for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski made the announcement on Friday.
“I don’t normally announce captains, but I’m going to have Myles Garrett be the captain this weekend and I don’t want that to be misconstrued,” Stefanski said. “It’s a big game so I’m sending the big guy out there but it is in no way a call back to anything previously, so I just want to make sure that that’s clear.”
Stefanski said his decision had nothing to do with the November 2019 brawl between Garrett and Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph.
“Every week [we] kind of look at who’s done it, who hasn’t been one yet and it’s a big game, so might as well send Myles out there,” Stefanski said.
Rudolph is set to start for the Steelers on Sunday in relief of Ben Roethlisberger, who will not play.
Garrett served a six-game suspension after last season’s brawl.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Garrett in February 2020.
On Friday, Stefanski spoke about Garrett’s importance to the Browns this season.
“Myles has been a great leader for this team,” Stefanski said. “He does in his actions. He does it with his words. He’s just an important part of what we’re trying to get done, and he understands I’m counting on him.”
Both Garrett and Rudolph played in the Steelers’ 38-7 blowout victory over the Browns on Oct. 18, 2020.
Rudolph played seven snaps at the end of the Week 6 game.
BetOnline has released a variety of Garrett-Rudolph prop bets, including:
Will Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph make contact with each other before or after the game?
Yes: +500
No: -900
Will Myles Garrett be flagged for a personal foul after contacting Mason Rudolph in game?
Yes: +400
No: -700
Sunday: It’s Garrett/Rudolph II
Will Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph make contact with each other before or after the game?
Yes +500
No -900
Will Myles Garrett be flagged for a personal foul after contacting Mason Rudolph in game?
Yes +400
No -700👉 https://t.co/rEfVlRXANR pic.twitter.com/2gAW1gg5u4
— BetOnline (@BetOnline_ag) December 30, 2020
Will any Steelers or Browns player be thrown out of the game in Week 17?
Yes: +700
No: -1400
Myles Garrett total sacks in Week 17
Over/Under: ½
Mason Rudolph – Total Passing Yards Week 17
Over/Under: 209½
Mason Rudolph – Total TD Passes Week 17
Over: 1½ TD Passes: +135
Under: 1½ TD Passes: -165
The Browns would make the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season with a win Sunday over the Steelers.
If the Indianapolis Colts lose the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Browns would also clinch a playoff spot.
The Browns are listed as a 9-point favorite over the Steelers, who are set to sit several Pro Bowl players on Sunday.
The Colts are a 14-point favorite over the Jaguars.
The Browns can also make the playoffs if the Tennessee Titans lose to the Houston Texans, the Miami Dolphins win or tie the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens win or tie the Cincinnati Bengals.
There are several scenarios for the Browns to make the playoffs if they tie the Steelers.
All of Cleveland’s clinching scenarios: #Browns pic.twitter.com/0Wq5yJE7yP
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) December 28, 2020
Stefanski discussed Garrett’s play since returning to the field after testing positive for COVID-19.
“I thought he looked good to me,’’ Stefanski said. “He had a game-changing play there if it goes the other way. He made a great play. He is right there. He is healthy and he is working through it.”
Garrett missed the Week 11 game against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Week 12 game against the Jaguars.
NEXT: ESPN Analyst Makes Bold Offseason Prediction If Browns Lose
