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Quarterback Mason Rudolph will start for the Steelers on Sunday, meaning that the Browns’ defensive side, Myles Garrett, will line up in front of him during the competition.
Garrett was suspended last year for swinging Rudolph’s helmet in the quarterback at the end of Cleveland’s week 11 victory over Pittsburgh. Coaches Kevin Stefanski and Mike Tomlin said this week that the teams have recovered from the incident, and now Rudolph too.
“This game is too big worry about anything outside that happened years ago, ”Rudolph said on Friday via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
Rudolph explained that he is not concerned with ending the incident. Garrett accused Rudolph of using racial slander as a catalyst to swing his helmet, which Rudolph vehemently denied.
“He didn’t reach out to me in any capacity, but I have a lot of respect for Myles, ”said Rudolph, via ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin.
Rudolph added that he is willing to listen to Garrett if the defensive side wants to talk, but otherwise, he is just concerned with how Garrett will affect the game.
“He is a threat in defense. He’s very disturbing”Said Rudolph. “Obviously, we are aware of this and treat it with respect.”
The Browns will secure a playoff spot with a win over the Steelers on Sunday. Rudolph played seven snaps in Pittsburgh’s week 6 victory over Cleveland, so it won’t be the first time he’s lined up behind the center since the incident. But we’ll see if everyone can control their emotions in what will be one of the Browns’ biggest games since returning to the league in 1999.