Myles Garrett Battles Through Injury, Edges Closer to Sack History
Myles Garrett’s 2025 season has been nothing short of dominant - and on Sunday, he added another chapter to what’s shaping up to be a historic campaign. With 1.5 sacks in a tough 31-3 loss to the Bears, Garrett now sits at 21.5 sacks on the year, just one shy of tying the NFL’s single-season record of 22.5 held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.
But the bigger story? He did it while clearly not at full strength.
Throughout Sunday’s game, Garrett was visibly favoring his lower body, and afterward, he confirmed it was a left hip issue that flared up during the contest. Still, in classic Garrett fashion, the All-Pro edge rusher made it clear that no injury - not even one that limits his explosiveness - is going to keep him off the field.
“That’s how I always am," Garrett said postgame. "I’m gonna play through pretty much anything.
But, yeah, I tweaked my hip, or something in that area, so I was feeling that for the rest of the game. But I’m just going to continue to push through, because we still have something to play for.
As long as there’s games on the schedule, I’m gonna go out there and try to win.”
That’s vintage Garrett - a relentless competitor who’s not just chasing records, but trying to will his team to wins, even as the Browns’ season continues to spiral.
Despite the lopsided loss, Garrett was on the field for 53 defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. That workload speaks volumes about his commitment, especially given the state of his hip. And with three games left on the schedule, his personal goal of surpassing the 25-sack mark - a number that once felt mythical - is still within reach.
But Sunday served as a reminder of the one thing that could derail his pursuit: health.
The Browns’ Dilemma: Protect the Record, or Protect the Player?
At 3-11, the Browns are out of the playoff picture and staring down a brutal final stretch that includes matchups with the Bills, Steelers, and Bengals. Wins will be hard to come by. But Garrett’s presence on the field still matters - not just because of the records he’s chasing, but because of the standard he sets inside that locker room.
In a league where leadership from non-quarterbacks can be rare, Garrett is the heartbeat of Cleveland’s defense. He’s the tone-setter, the guy others rally around. And he’s never been one to take a snap off just because the scoreboard’s lopsided or the playoff hopes are gone.
That said, the Browns have to walk a fine line here.
Garrett’s hip injury may not be serious - he played through it, after all - but any tweak this late in the season can linger, especially for a player who relies so heavily on burst, bend, and leverage. And after watching Micah Parsons go down with a non-contact injury on Sunday, it’s a sobering reminder of how quickly things can change.
Parsons’ injury sent shockwaves through the league. While he was able to walk off under his own power, it underscored the risk that comes with pushing through pain in December when bodies are already battered.
For the Browns, the question becomes this: If Garrett is healthy and practicing fully, there’s no reason not to unleash him. He’s earned that right, and few players are more capable of wrecking an offensive game plan. But if there’s even a hint of limitation - if that hip is barking louder during the week - Cleveland has to weigh the long-term implications.
Because while the sack record would be a crowning achievement, it’s not worth jeopardizing the health of one of the most dominant defensive players of his generation.
The Final Stretch
Garrett’s chase for history will be one of the most compelling storylines to watch over the final three weeks of the regular season. He’s one sack away from tying the record, and with three games left, there’s every reason to believe he can surpass it.
But don’t let the numbers distract from the bigger picture: Garrett is doing this while gutting through pain, leading a team that’s struggling, and still playing with the same fire that’s defined his career.
Records are great. But what Garrett’s doing right now - putting his body on the line, refusing to quit, and continuing to lead - might be even more impressive.