Browns standout defensive end Myles Garrett doesn’t believe Minkah Fitzpatrick’s hit on teammate Nick Chubb was dirty or illegal.
While speaking with reporters on Friday, the four-time Pro Bowl lineman addressed the tackle which resulted in Chubb being lost for the season with a brutal knee injury. Chubb was tackled low by Fitzpatrick in the second quarter of the Browns-Steelers game on Monday night.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com shared a video clip Friday on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, showing Garrett’s defense of Fitzpatrick.
“Minkah didn’t do anything illegal,” said Garrett. “He was playing the game how it’s supposed to be played. It was very unfortunate what happened. Nick getting held up but just having, just planting his foot and the hit and all that. That’s not unlike what corners around the league do. This is something that’s very common.”
While stating that Fitzpatrick’s approach was not unlike the techniques used by other NFL defensive backs, Garrett also indicated that the Browns are focused on trying to shut down Titans running back Derrick Henry on Sunday.
“We’re not going to do anything illegal to take Henry down,” Garrett said. “We’re just going to go after the ball, hit his thigh boards, try to take his legs out and keep the guy safe and healthy. But we’re going to do our best to chop him down as well.”
#Browns Myles Garrett on Minkah Fitzpatrick’s hit on Nick Chubb and how to try to stop #Titans Derrick Henry pic.twitter.com/hEU27M7KSV
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 22, 2023
Henry’s 6’3”, 247-pound frame and powerful running style has resulted in his capturing the NFL rushing title in 2019 and ’20. This season, the veteran back ranks ninth in the NFL with 143 yards through Week 2.
