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NFL reinstates Browns DE Myles Garrett, suspended for swinging helmet at Steelers QB Mason Rudolph

The NFL didn’t make Myles Garrett wait to learn about his status for the 2020 season.

Garrett is back. The Cleveland Browns defensive end, suspended for one of the most shocking on-field acts in recent memory when he yanked Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph’s helmet and hit him in the head with it, was reinstated, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Garrett was suspended indefinitely with six games to go in the regular season, and the most likely outcome always seemed to be that he would be allowed to play after those six games were up.

"We welcome Myles back to our organization with open arms," Browns EVP of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry said in a statement. "We know he is grateful to be reinstated, eager to put the past behind him and continue to evolve and grow as a leader. We look forward to having his strong positive presence back as a teammate, player and person in our community."

Myles Garrett’s suspension ends

Garrett will always be associated with what happened against the Steelers.

Late in a Thursday night game, Garrett brought Rudolph down after the quarterback threw a pass, and Rudolph wasn’t happy with it. What looked like a fairly normal NFL skirmish happened, but then Garrett grabbed Rudolph’s helmet, yanked it off and swung it at his head. Had he connected a little differently, Rudolph could have been seriously injured.

Six games was the longest suspension for a single on-field act in NFL history. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell met with Garrett this week and he decided six games was enough.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) reacts after swinging a helmet at Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2). (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) reacts after swinging a helmet at Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2). (AP Photo/David Richard)

Garrett has to rehabilitate image

By reinstating Garrett now, he has plenty of time before the Browns’ offseason program begins. His 2020 season shouldn’t be impacted at all.

Garrett, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2017 draft, will receive plenty of attention as the season starts. It will be hard for him to get people to forget about the shocking incident with Rudolph, no matter how well he plays this season.

There will likely be a few in-depth interviews as he tries to explain what happened and who he is as a person. Garrett won’t miss any more games due to this suspension, but this year will be about a lot more than football for him.

Rudolph’s $50K fine reportedly upheld

Rudolph was fined $50,000 for his role in escalating the brawl that saw 33 players disciplined by the NFL, a punishment he reportedly appealed. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported shortly after the news of Garrett’s reinstatement that the league denied the appeal and upheld Rudolph’s fine.

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